The Tamil Nadu People’s Forum for Tobacco Control has written to the School Education Department to take action against educational institutions participating in the ‘Classmate Spellbee Competitions — Season 10’.
In a press release, the forum pointed out that the government had banned institutions from participating in activities linked to the tobacco industry. The Classmate competition is conducted by ITC’s Classmate brand, along with others. Participation in this, the release said, was a direct violation of the government order issued by the School Education Department in 2012, and in 2014, the department had banned the competition in the State.
In its letter, the forum said the competition violated Section 5 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, and that educational institutions continue to be unaware of the industry’s impact on children. It requested the School Education Secretary to take up this matter urgently and initiate action.