Apr 09 2012
The myth of the schools and colleges to be tobacco-free zones
Although the chances of cancer, almost 70% of young smokers, Jharkhand has done little to implement the central laws that support young people from tobacco.
The National Tobacco Control Program and cigarettes and other tobacco products Act (COTPA) 2003 – which prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions – exist only on paper. There is hardly any school in the city, near which tobacco products are not sold.
“Seven out of 10 children who start smoking at an early age is more likely to suffer from cancer,” said the Patna-based Hay AA, which is associated with the public awareness of cancer.
Well-known surgeon in the city, Indramohan Gupta, added “the child’s body is vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco. Children are more prone to developing respiratory and other symptoms.”
Ranchi University pro-vice-chancellor P. Sharan said: “Not only are cigarettes, alcohol is sold, even at 100 meters from Ranchi College Women.”
More than 18,000 students attend college girl Ranchi women. Liquor stores are also located within 100 yards of the other colleges in the city. Heads of some private educational institutions have expressed their helplessness.
“The owners of liquor stores do not listen. Our complaints to the police and go in vain. Police bribe to obtain liquor from these shops,” said the teacher, on condition of anonymity.
Different data published by the WHO said tobacco consumption among women is growing in India. “This is the work of the district administration to keep a check on the tobacco kiosks around the schools,” said pro-VC.
However, to date there has been no official reports from RU to the district administration to stop the sale of tobacco near schools in the city, acknowledged the official. There are 15 constituent colleges and 14 affiliated colleges of RU in Ranchi. Thousands of students are studying in these schools. Groups of students, puffing outside the university campuses are common site.
Similar is the situation at Xavier Institute of Social Studies, College of St Xavier University and Ranchi.
The fields around Saint-Alloysis, schools, John Zila School for boys and girls, too, are not tobacco-free zones. Temporary shop sells cigarettes, beedis and gutka, among other things, just 100 meters from the prestigious College of St. Xavier.
“I sell tobacco products here in a long time. None of the agencies has ever asked me to move,” said the owner of the tobacco kiosk near the College of Saint Xavier.
HRD chief secretary BK Tripathi acknowledged the problem. “There has been no official communication on our part; heads of educational institutions to get the tobacco shops are removed. It is the responsibility of the administration and the police,” added Tripathi.
Ranchi SSP Saket Singh said: “We had a little time to focus on it,” said the SSP. He, however, believe that the police loo
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