The law that prohibits the sale of tobacco near educational institutions and public places must be followed strictly and the local administration must ensure it, said the Governor of Uttarakhand, Krishan Kant Paul, while addressing a programme organised under the joint aegis of the World lung Foundation (South Asia) and the Uttarakhand Government at the Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapovan, here on Monday.
He said that in order to save students from harmful habits like smoking, Yoga and Pranayam should be encouraged in schools and other educational institutions. Yoga, he said, would help the students find the right direction in life.
The Governor said that the students and all youngsters must be saved from the ill effects of tobacco, the “silent killer”. The programme was part of the efforts to make Uttarakhand tobacco-free. The Governor asked the Director-General (Education) who was present on the occasion to ensure that the children in schools of the state are encouraged to take up Yoga which would build their will power and keep them away from bad habits. He said it was also the responsibility of teachers to make the students constantly aware of the ill-effects of bad habits like tobacco consumption. Dr Paul called upon students to be engaged in constructive activities and also make their guardians/parents aware of the bad effects of tobacco.
The Governor appreciated the efforts of World lung Foundation to make Uttarakhand free of tobacco.
The Chairman of World lung Foundation, Dr G R Khatri, elaborated the ill effects of tobacco consumption. He said that all schools in the state must spend at least one minute during the morning assembly and prayers where the serious ill-effects of tobacco are highlighted.
A state-level essay and painting competition were also held on the occasion. The subject of these competitions was Tobacco-free Uttarakhand. The Governor honoured the students who obtained the first, second and third positions in these contests.
Recent surveys show that thetobacco menace is increasing in Uttarakhandand 12.2 Percent of students and 20.8 Percent of boys belonging to age group 13-17 years are consuming tobacco.
There is a law which prohibits selling of within 100 yards radius of all educational institutions but this law is rarely enforced in the state and one many shops selling the tobacco products just outside the schools and colleges. Director General (education) D G (Health) Dr D S Rawat, teachers and students were present on the occasion.