Students in Nederland should not have to walk past substance sales and advertising on their way to school.

A retail store located within a posted school zone near Central Middle School displays advertising for products such as vapes, CBD, and kratom that is visible to students traveling to and from school.

ZONED OUT is a community initiative dedicated to protecting students from exposure to age-restricted sales and advertising near their schools. We focus on raising awareness, building community support, and advocating for safe, student-centered school environments.

🚨 Why It Matters

In Nederland, advertisements and product displays for CBD, vape, smoke, kratom, and detox products are located within a school zone. These products are legal for adults over 21 in Texas, but their presence in school zones places them in direct view of students.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that tobacco product use is started and established primarily during adolescence and that nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try smoking by age 18.

The CDC has also reported that exposure to tobacco and vape advertising is associated with increased likelihood of use among youth.

Nederland ISD maintains a zero tolerance policy prohibiting student use of vaping products on school property.

Kratom is a substance sold in retail settings and is often marketed in powders, capsules, or extracts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that kratom is not approved for any medical use and has issued warnings about risks including addiction, misuse, and serious adverse effects. The FDA has reported that kratom has been involved in deaths, often when other substances were present. Some products are labeled “not for human consumption” while also including directions for use on the same packaging.

Studies show that students exposed to tobacco and vape marketing, especially in close proximity to schools, are more likely to initiate use. Limiting the visibility of CBD, vape, smoke, kratom, and detox product advertising within school zones can reduce these risk factors.

This effort is not about a single business. It is about whether age-restricted product advertising should be visible to students within a designated school zone.

✅ We are calling on local and state leaders to act:

Review and enforce regulations for businesses operating near school zones
Remove or restrict advertising of age-restricted products visible from school zones
Evaluate and strengthen policies related to youth exposure and access

Sign this petition to support efforts to reduce student exposure to substance sales and marketing near schools.

Add your name and share today to support a learning environment focused on students, not on substance sales and advertising.