Soon hundreds of educational institutions here will be part of the model tobacco-free Ernakulam district.
A unique programme aimed at checking tobacco use, the model tobacco-free district initiative will be based on the key clauses included under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
As part of an action plan to be implemented by December, the Education Department will launch a concerted campaign involving teachers and students in several government schools across the district.
Senior department officials pointed out that a circular would be issued directing all schools to comply with Sections 4 and 6 of COTPA. Section 4 prohibits smoking in public places while sale of tobacco products to and by minors is banned under the Section 6.
COTPA provisions state that no person shall sell, offer for sale, or permit sale of cigarette or any other tobacco product to and by any person, who is under 18 years of age. Sale of tobacco products is also prohibited in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution.
The district administration, police and other enforcement agencies will be part of the intensive drive to check use of tobacco products among school students. The heads of educational institutions should display a warning outside the school premises against sale of tobacco products within 100 yards. The radius of 100 yards from any educational institution is measured radially starting from the outer limit of the boundary wall, fence or as the case may be, of the educational institution.
An assessment made earlier by the enforcement agencies had found that several educational institutions in Ernakulam could not effectively implement the provisions under COTPA, paving way for increase in use of tobacco products among the students.
Many schools could not even set up signage at the entrance prohibiting the sale of tobacco products.
The latest plan is to identify the loopholes in the system while forming school-based committees that would monitor the implementation of the system.
