A circular issued by Vijay Satbir Singh, State Additional Chief Secretary of Public Health, has banned the participation of students in events sponsored directly or indirectly by tobacco companies. Health officers have been asked to communicate the order to all public and private schools across the State.
Mr. Singh states in the circular that the tobacco industry has been adopting innovative ways to involve schoolchildren in their campaigns. “We strongly advise that no school in Maharashtra allow its students to participate in activities sponsored by any firm or a subsidiary of a firm which promotes tobacco in any form. Students should not accept any prize or scholarship instituted by a tobacco promoting firm,” the circular states.
“We recommend that schools should not allow any institution using the brand name, emblem, trademark, logo or trade insignia or any distinct feature directly or indirectly connected to tobacco products. One such example is the Classmate-Spell Bee campaign,” the circular stated, referring to a spelling competition hosted by a stationary brand owned by a tobacco company.
‘Big step forward’
Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, anti-tobacco activist and head and neck surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, said the circular was a big step forward. “It is praise worthy that the Health Secretary wants to put an end to such competitions,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. “In 2015, victims of tobacco petitioned the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to make educational institutions free of tobacco.”
The circular said that schools should encourage students to put up posters on its premises highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco use. Schools should also keep a copy of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act handy. The school are yet to receive the circular.
Deepshikha Srivastava, principal, Rajhans Vidyalaya, Andheri, said she would immediately put an end to competition that was found to be backed by tobacco companies. “I am not aware about the branding for the spelling competition. But I will definitely look into it and bring a stop to it.
“I don’t want any tobacco or alcohol company to promote any events for our children.” Ms. Srivastava said an earlier circular banning the presence of tobacco shops within 100 yards from a school was still not being followed. “I wish the authorities were watchful about this rule as well,” she said.
Avnita Bir, director-principal, RN Podar School, said the management did not believe in involving any company or brand in school competitions. Ms. Bir said the school had no role to play in the Spell Bee competitions as students enrolled for the contest on their own.
