MEERUT: World No Tobacco Day celebrated on May 31, 2016 would also mark the day when WHO and the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco control call upon the countries for plain packaging of the tobacco products.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in its bid to contribute to the cause has instructed all its affiliated schools to highlight and raise awareness among them on the negative effects of tobacco. In the circular issued by Mr. Sugandh Sharma, Additional Director (research and innovation), CBSE, it has instructed that all the members of the school be it the students, the staff or the principal, all should get involved in the awareness program and spread the message outside the school.
The schools would also be conducting competitions with the theme of no tobacco and the bad effects of tobacco. Poster making, essay writing and power point presentations would be some of the competitions being organized by the schools. CBSE has considered having the competitions as a good way of spreading the awareness on the ill effects of tobacco. The participating students and the audience would apply their knowledge and observation on tobacco and the effects of using them regularly. Subsequently, they come to know about the devastating results of consuming these products. The creativity and observation involved in the poster making competitions would also go a long way in eradicating the usage of these products and discourage the students and other people as well into consuming these in future.
CBSE has also directed the schools to ensure that Section 6 of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 are followed. This section prohibits sale of any kind of addictive product or cigarettes or any other tobacco products within the area of radius of 100 yards of the school.