As evidenced by statutory material, court decision, and school codes, the solution to the issue of smoking in the public schools is far from clear. Certain conclusions, nevertheless, can be drawn. Principals and all educators are faced with a question to which they must react. Whatever the case in the past, there is now undisputed knowledge that smoking is a causal factor in many injurious, debilitating, and often fatal diseases. Given this awareness, the question becomes whether or not to condone smoking on school premises ("allow" is not the proper term, as very often prevention is not within the practical power of the school principal). The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) suggests that student smoking lounges may well implicitly promote smoking in the public schools. Therefore, in lieu of establishing them, NASSP suggests that intensive educational programs to inhibit and/or finally terminate smoking be instituted. NASSP also recognizes the imperative need to involve students, faculty, parents, and the community-at-large in deliberations on this sensitive subject. (Author)