PUNE: The Maharashtra government has again notified that all schools in the State should ensure that their premises are tobacco-free zones.
The State government, along with Salam Mumbai Foundation, will launch anti-tobacco initiative in Zilla Parishad schools across 30 districts in the State.
The State School and Sports Department, in a Government Resolution (GR), has directed the Director of Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary Education as well as Education Commissioner in Pune to take necessary steps and asked all heads of the schools to work towards this initiative.
One of the main points included in the directive is that tobacco should not be sold within 100 metres of the schools. The State School and Sports Department has issued strict orders to all school principals to display circulars on the boards about no smoking and tobacco consumption at all necessary places in and around school premises. The teachers, students, staff members and parents are supposed to follow the rule strictly.
It has also directed that the schools should constitute a school regulation committee and members of it should review the campaign progress every month. The department has also stated that if any school is unable to form a separate committee, then the school management should look into the matter. Schools should also take measures to prevent tobacco consumption and advertise and promote no tobacco consumption initiative by conducting seminars, discussions, posters, etc, about its ill-effects.
Sachin Dimble, a teacher at Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) School, Bibevewadi, stated that consumption of tobacco is observed among children from the age group in an average of 10-15 years old.
“The amount of tobacco consumption or addiction to it can be determined class-wise. The students, including girls, who come from downtrodden or lower income background, are seen to be more exposed to tobacco or misri, which commonly used by women in the State too. These students are from municipal corporation-run schools or government schools. Generally, they adopt the habit from their houses by following their parents who are also addicted to various forms of tobacco,” said Dimble.
“The students, mainly boys from middle class or upper-class background who studying in convents, government aided or private schools, usually consume it due to peer pressure. However, the amount is relatively less here because parents from these families are aware of the consequences and are alert,” said Dimble.
He stated that strict implementation of this campaign by schools is one way to reduce the tobacco consumption in children. However, Dimble said, “Nevertheless, awareness about the harm of tobacco consumption should be infused at a home level because students are in school for only six-seven hours and rest of their day, they spend time at home or with friends. Hence, even if schools conduct awareness programme, it is likely that the impact of it may fade away once their back to the den.”
MAHA GOVT DIRECTIVES
- The State has asked schools to take measures to prevent tobacco consumption and advertise and promote no tobacco consumption initiative by conducting seminars, discussions, posters, etc, about its ill-effects.
- It has also directed the schools to form a regulation committee and members of which should review the campaign progress every month.
