School premises tobacco free: Haryana School Education Department

Chandigarh, Apr 21, 2017 : With a view to make all schools in the State tobacco-free, the Haryana School Education Department has issued instructions to carry out awareness activities in this regard on ‘Joyful Activity Day’ to be observed on fourth Saturday of April. Under this, students would conduct door-to-door campaign ‘Dastak’ and urge people to avoid using tobacco.

While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Department said that a campaign was being implemented in the State to ensure effective enforcement of Section 77 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 through various promotional activities.

He said that under the Act, efforts were being made to make school premises tobacco-free and prohibit consumption of tobacco products by students and teaching and non-teaching staff of schools. It is also the need of the hour to ensure that tobacco products are not sold within 100 yards of schools, he added.

He said that painting, poster making, slogan writing and debate competitions on the topic ‘anti-tobacco, anti-smoking’ would be organised on Joyful Activity Day, and pledge against smoking would be administered in schools. Students would also prepare detailed plan for creating awareness regarding the adverse effects of consumption of tobacco products and would also conduct surveys in this regard. Yogacharyas, sportspersons, doctors and other experts may also be invited to address students on this occasion, he added.

In-charges of all DOC Scouts and Guides, NSS and NCC units in the State have been instructed to organise ‘Dastak’ programmes for tobacco-free school premises and families, he added.