Guwahati: In a major move to make all educational institutions in the State tobacco-free by this year, the Assam Government has issued a notification.
Additional Chief Secretary (Education) Rajiv Kumar Bora in a letter to all heads of institutions has urged them to comply with the prescribed criteria for tobacco-free educational institutions.
In the letter dated 19th May, Bora urged the institutions to submit a status report along with self-declaration at the earliest, to the concerned district and state officials.
The Additional Chief Secretary (Education) will also review the action taken by each institution in this regard on regular basis, sources said.
The criteria for a tobacco-free educational institution are display of ‘tobacco-free education institution’ board at a prominent place on the boundary wall outside the main entrance.
It also includes display of mandatory signage stating ‘Sale of tobacco products is prohibited within 100 yards radius of this educational institution’ at a prominent place near the main gate and on the boundary wall of the school/institute.
Besides, the educational institutions are also to display prominently at the entrance and exit of the premises signages ‘No Smoking Area – Smoking Here is an Offence’ of 60×30 cm size inside the institution (as mandated by law), appoint nodal officers for tobacco control and monitor activities. Tobacco control activities/programmes are also to be initiated by the institutions. (ENe)
