SRINAGAR : Assuring that all educational institutions in the State will be made ‘tobacco-free’, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today said that fresh orders will be issued to implement Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) strictly.
The Minister said this in a meeting with delegates of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) – anti-tobacco advocacy body – who called on him here today.
“To save the youth from ill effects of tobacco and to support this genuine cause, we will be issuing relevant orders to make educational institutions tobacco free,” the Minister said.
Akhtar said all officials will be directed to implement COTPA strictly and ensure that a follow-up mechanism is put in place to ensure firm adherence to the Act.
The Commissioner Secretary, School Education, has already instructed all Chief Education Officers (CEOs) in the State to report COTPA violations on monthly basis.
The CEOs have also been asked to collate the violations for strengthening institutionalization of the mechanism and to forward the detail on monthly basis to the Deputy Commissioners including the Superintendents of Police in the districts.
As per Section 6 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA), there is a ban on sale of tobacco to and by minors. It also prohibits sale of tobacco products in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution, and mandatory signage in this regard should be displayed prominently near the main gate and on the boundary wall of the school or institution.
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