A tougher state law that aims to crack down on underage tobacco users may not be enough to prevent kids from smoking, school officials said.

        “As long as they continue to make cigarettes, we'll continue to have a problem,” said Bill Sears, Lebanon schools superintendent.

        But the new Ohio law — which makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to buy, possess or use cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or rolling papers — can't hurt, he said.

        Young tobacco users could face a $100 fine, loss of driving privi leges, community service and smoking-education classes.

        Lebanon schools might use the new law to buttress district policy, which calls for students caught smoking to be suspended, Lebanon High School Principal Dr. Sam Ison said.

        Dr. Richard Bullard, director of secondary education in the Mount Healthy school district, said his district will likely invoke district policy before the new law.

        That includes possible temporary assignment to alternative school, Friday after-school detention or out-of-school suspension.

        Milford High School Principal Larry Hook said kids who use tobacco there will be referred to the school resource officer, who is a Miami Township police department officer assigned to the high school.

        “To me it's no different than if we catch kids with an illegal substance,” Mr. Hook said.

        He said the school will soon hang posters about the new law to make kids and parents aware of it.

        But even parents may act as a barrier to full enforcement.

        “It's difficult when you catch a child smoking and parents say they're allowed to be smoking at home,” said assistant principal Joy Steller of Kings High School in Warren County.

        Kings has a policy of an automatic three-day suspension for smokers, Ms. Steller said.

        Amanda Howard, 14, a Kings High School freshman, said she thinks the law may infringe on rights parents have extended to their kids.

        “In a way, I think it's wrong. If parents let kids smoke, it's unfair,” she said.

        Amanda said she does not smoke, but kids may do so to rebel against the new law.

        “Kids are going to do it to irritate the cops,” she said.

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