SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 23: Schooling education and literacy department of state government in collaboration with Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS) has launched special campaign to make 40 schools of four districts tobacco-free institutions.
Under the pilot project, 10 schools each (five government and five private) of four districts Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Jamshedpur (East Singhbhum) have been identified for making tobacco free model school.
Now selling tobacco product to minor would invite fine of Rs 1 lakh and 7 years of imprisonment. The selling of tobacco products in 100-yard radius of school is already banned under Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
Sunil Kumar, director middle school cum state nodal officer of tobacco control programme, said that today campaign for making school tobacco-free has been launched from Ranchi and schools of other districts of the state would be developed soon under this pilot project.
The director, who was addressing workshop organized jointly by schooling education and literacy department and SEEDS as chief guest, said since every year 13 lakh people in country die by tobacco using, it has emerged serious problem and challenge for bright future of our children. He highly praised the efforts of SEEDS for checking tobacco prevalence under guidelines of state government.
SEEDS executive president Dipak Mishra on the occasion shed light on need of the hour for control on tobacco products use. He said that in last 7 to 8 years, Jharkhand government and its technical support partner (SEEDS) have jointly initiated effective step in checking tobacco use and in implementation of COPTA.
Kamla Singh, district education officer, Ranchi stressed on the need of launching pilot project for making school tobacco free institution.
State consultant of tobacco control programme Rajiv Kumar on the occasion informed about the steps being initiated for controlling tobacco products in Jharkhand. SEEDS Jharkhand coordinator Rimple Jha informed about sections of COTPA 2003. Kailash Chandra Sahu, state programme manager, proposed the vote of thanks.
