No tobacco near Srinagar schools

Good health

All schools falling under the jurisdiction of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) have been declared as "tobacco free" zones.

Following the footsteps of Budgam, Srinagar has become the second district to take such steps to promote health policies in Kashmir.

The chief education officer of Srinagar took the decision to protect the younger generation from the growing menace of tobacco products and it will cover both government-run and private schools, an official spokesman said.

The district is likely to declare all public places as smoke-free by the end of May this year, he said.

The decision was announced on Saturday during a day-long sensitisation programme on tobacco control laws by the city chapter of J&K Voluntary Health Association (VHA), he added.

The programme was organised to create awareness about the Tobacco Control Act, 2003, which includes guidelines prohibiting sale and consumption of such products within 100 yards of an educational institution.

In other cities in the country, such as Bangalore, tobacco shops are not allowed to come up at least near 100 metres from a school. 

However, authorities say the rule continues to be flouted by vendors due to lack of enforcement will.