Recently, a seventeen year old high school student was observed by the School Resource Officer with a packet of Skoal in his mouth. School policy is the student must serve a one (1) day school suspension and attend, on a Saturday scheduled by the administration, a mandatory four (4) hour class regarding the dangers of tobacco products. If the student fails to complete the class the matter is referred to the local law enforcement agency and the student is subject to payment of a fine and the incident reported on their record.

The student is also an athlete and an additional portion of the policy is the student must miss the next scheduled activity.

Is this policy restrictive and the punishment too severe?