State boosts anti-tobacco campaign aimed at students
The state government has decided to act tough against the sale of tobacco products in and around educational campuses, along with giving a thrust to the anti-tobacco campaign in schools and colleges across the state.
The government’s decision, made public on Saturday, makes it mandatory for educational institutions to put up a board on the gates proclaiming the prohibition and a fine of Rs 200 for violators.
The current legislation prohibits the sale of tobacco and tobacco products in the vicinity of 100 metres from educational campuses. The Bombay High Court had given orders to the state government to enforce the law strictly.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, too, had recently emphasised the need for a strict enforcement of the law to keep the younger generation away from addiction. He had also emphasised the need for awareness campaigns in this regard.
Taking a cue from this, the education ministry has taken steps to include a chapter on harmful effects of tobacco in the curriculum for schools.
All the other government departments concerned, too, have been asked to follow the initiative and file action-taken reports by next Tuesday (March 10), the order says.
Meanwhile, the state is also planning to introduce a stricter anti-spitting legislation in the assembly session scheduled to begin next Monday, the officials have said.
Health minister Dr Deepak Sawant had earlier spoken of the need for a stricter legislation in this regard. “We will also check if we can suspend the driving licence of a taxi or auto driver who spits in public places like roads. We will make the legislation effective so that there will be a deterrent for people who indulge in such activity,” he had said.
The draft is now ready and the law and judiciary department is examining it before taking a final call on introducing it in the budget session of the assembly, officials have said.
The strengthened legislation would also contain provisions to discourage the sale and consumption of tobacco products.