New Delhi: Raj Niwas has directed authorities to strictly implement tobacco-free guidelines in Delhi schools and colleges. Nodal officers are to be appointed in each institution to oversee compliance.
A senior official of Raj Niwas said LG VK Saxena was promoting a tobacco-free, healthier, and safer learning environment in Delhi, especially among students and youth.
"After the ninth review meeting of the state-level committee Narco-Coordination Centre held recently, Saxena directed the strict implementation of guidelines for tobacco-free educational institutions falling within the directorate of education and the higher education department," said Raj Niwas.
The chief secretary has been instructed to issue necessary orders to ensure strict adherence to these guidelines and appoint nodal officers in each institution to ensure the same. The names and contact numbers of these nodal officers will be prominently displayed in every institution.
During the meeting, LG emphasised the critical role of these nodal officers in overseeing compliance with the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, and addressing drug abuse concerns, Raj Niwas added.
Saxena's directives come in response to National Health Mission's guidelines for educational institutions that mandate the display of signages at prominent places, to designate tobacco monitors from among their staff, an official or a teacher or a student representative. Also, to mark boundaries or areas to define a 100-yard area of the tobacco-free zone.
All the heads of department or institution are authorised to collect fines for the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of an educational institution as per the guidelines. The heads of educational institutions are to impose and collect fines also under Section 4 of The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003.
The communication sent to the chief secretary also emphasised the importance of creating awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use, organising tobacco cessation programmes, and providing counselling and support services to students and staff.