GUWAHATI, May 29 � In an effort to save the future generation from the ill effect of tobacco, the Assam Government has issued a notification to make all educational institutions in the State tobacco-free by this year.
An official instruction issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Education Rajiv Kumar Bora to all heads of educational institutions (principals, headmasters, headmistress/registrars) requested all heads of institutions to comply with the prescribed criteria for tobacco-free educational institutions and submit the status report on the same along with the self-declaration at the earliest, to the concern district and State officials.
The official letter from the Additional Chief Secretary dated May 19, 2015 also mentioned that the Additional Chief Secretary, Education will review the action taken by each institution in this regard on regular basis.
The criteria for Tobacco Free Educational Institution include display of �Tobacco free education institution� board at a prominent place on the boundary wall outside the main entrance and also the display of mandatory signage stating �Sale of tobacco products is prohibited within 100 yards radius of this educational institution� near the main gate and on the boundary wall of school/institute.
All educational institutions shall also display prominently at the entrance and exit of the school premises �No Smoking Area � Smoking Here is an Offence� signages of 60x30 cm size inside the institution (as mandated by the law).
Appointment (Selection) of Nodal officers in each educational institution for tobacco control and monitoring activities will be a must.
Moreover, schools/educational institutions will have to submit tobacco-free educational institution declaration to concern district heads.
The Assam Government has constituted two committees � one at the district level and one at the State level to look after the activities of the educational institutions in respect of achieving the target of the tobacco-free institution.
The district committee which will be chaired by Deputy Commissioner will consist of five members including the Chairman.
The Inspector of Schools (IS) and District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) will submit reports to the district committee about the institutions on infringement of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 in respect of educational institutions (Section 6-b).
The committee will be at liberty to take necessary steps for ensuring compliance of COTPA by educational institutions throughout the State and to declare Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions throughout the State.
The committee will submit monthly status report to the government which will be placed before the State Level Core Committee chaired by the Minister Education.
It is to be mention that the Voluntary Health Association of Assam (VHAA), a non-profit organisation working in the field of tobacco control in Assam for the last decade or so initiated the advocacy campaign with the Assam Education Department couple of months back to push for making all educational institutions in the State tobacco free.
The VHAA also made a member of the State Level Core Committee which constituted by the government to review the monthly status reports of the district submitted in respect of declaration of the tobacco free educational institutions.
