Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 21: The Directorate of School Education (DSEK) and Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) today issued directives to Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to implement various measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of tobacco products within their jurisdictions, with a special emphasis on the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) initiative.
The DSEK and DHSK have separately issued communications to the CEOs and CMOs, respectively. The communication from the DSEK outlines specific measures to be taken under the TOFEI initiative. “I am directed to request you… to organize… suggestive activities in order to enhance TOFEI activities and to encourage maximum participation in the events,” stated the DSEK, while providing details of the activities.
The recommended activities include implementing a “No Tobacco Pledge” in all educational institutions, designating a teacher/staff/student as the “Tobacco Monitor,” organizing essay, painting, poster, quiz, and debate competitions focused on tobacco, and conducting discussions during school assemblies.
Additionally, CEOs have been instructed to organize school rallies and Prabhat Pheries, demarcate educational institutions with a ‘Yellow Line’ to signify a tobacco-free zone, and enforce tobacco control measures within a 100-yard radius of schools.
The communication from the DHSK directs the CMOs, Medical Superintendents, and Block Medical Officers to conduct a ‘No Smoking Pledge Ceremony’ on June 22 in all health institutions within their respective jurisdictions.
The officials said that these initiatives aim to curb the use of tobacco products and promote healthier environments in schools, health institutions, and communities.
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