Schools can lead the fight against tobacco use and addiction. As of December 1990, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legislation restricting or prohibiting smoking in school buildings or grounds. Kansas and New Jersey are the only states that currently ban the use of tobacco products in all school buildings. Sixteen states statutorily prohibit students from smoking at school. School districts in the other 34 states have discretion to decide whether to permit or inhibit student smoking. Many administrators report that designated smoking areas become a focal point of negative influence and exacerbate rather than lessen student management problems. Courts have upheld school district authority to adopt policies that prohibit students from smoking on school grounds. Most states allow school boards to decide whether to designate smoking areas for school personnel. The trend in litigated cases suggest a clear preference for adopting a total smoking ban applicable to everyone on a school campus. (MLF)