Key Takeaways
- A new California bill would allow schools that already conduct student-athlete drug testing to include nicotine in those screenings.
- The report said the affected student athletes could include students as young as seventh graders.
- The bill originally proposed barring athletes from sports after three positive tests, but it was later amended to leave disciplinary decisions to local schools.
- Groups including Mental Health America of California oppose the bill, saying testing discretion could disproportionately affect students of color.
- The bill’s author said about 7.00% of California high school students currently report using nicotine products.
2Firsts, April 9, 2026
According to CBS News, California lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would add nicotine to drug tests already given to student-athletes, as the state responds to growing concern over youth tobacco and vaping use.
The bill would allow schools to include nicotine in student-athlete drug testing
The proposal applies to schools that already have student-athlete drug testing programs and would allow them to include nicotine in those screenings. The report said the student athletes affected could include students as young as seventh graders.
Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick, who represents District 1 and authored the bill, said the increase in youth vaping is heartbreaking. She said the proposal builds on her past tobacco prevention work in Modoc County and that she was surprised after arriving in Sacramento that the issue was not being discussed more seriously.
A suspension provision was removed and discipline would now be handled locally
The report said the original version of the bill included a provision that would have barred student-athletes from sports after three positive tests. After facing opposition, however, the bill was amended so that any disciplinary decisions would be made at the local school level.
Hadwick said every child is different and that the state should not be setting those disciplinary parameters. She also said the bill is not designed as a punitive response and that if students test positive, they would instead be connected with treatment and support.
Opponents say testing discretion could have a disproportionate impact
Despite the amendment, several groups continue to oppose the measure, including Mental Health America of California. Opponents said they are concerned about how testing policies could be applied, particularly to students of color.
Tiffany Murphy, chief operating officer of Mental Health America of California, said schools would only be able to test students based on reasonable suspicion, and that the group believes this discretion could disproportionately target students of color.
The bill now moves to the education committee
Hadwick said more needs to be done to encourage young people to quit nicotine and noted that about 7.00% of California high school students currently report using nicotine products. She also said participation in sports can be a strong motivator for students to stop using nicotine.
According to the report, the bill now heads to the state assembly’s education committee for review.
Image source: CBS News
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