The Vice Chancellors of universities will now be answerable to the Governor, P. Sathasivam, for not implementing steps to control tobacco use among students.
The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the universities, has asked the heads of universities to include measures taken to strengthen tobacco control in its affiliated colleges in the quarterly report sent to him.
“They have to mention in the report whether the managements, colleges concerned are strictly implementing the statutory provisions [Indian Tobacco Control Law],” he said during the interview to The Hindu on Friday.
Recalling the Parliamentary enactment prohibiting the use of tobacco within 100 metres of all educational institutions, Mr. Sathasivam said there are bunk shops [under the guise of selling eatables and sweets] near the gate of educational institutions, especially in municipalities and villages, that also sell cigarettes. “That is prohibited,” he said.
The Chancellor pointed out that ‘Tobacco control in campuses of higher learning’ will be an item in the agenda for the next Vice Chancellors meet, which is likely to be held at the end of March or the beginning of April. Mr. Sathasivam also expressed concern over reports that referred to a growing affinity for tobacco products among youngsters and the increasing number of tobacco-induced cancers in the State. The Chancellor has urged the Vice Chancellors to create replicable benchmarks in strengthening tobacco control in educational institutions and campuses.
They have to mention in report whether colleges are implementing the statutory provisions
Governor asks
Vice Chancellors
to include
anti-tobacco steps taken in their quarterly report.