Union Health Ministry issued Guidelines for Tobacco Free Schools/ Educational Institutions

Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country were strictly directed by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) to enforce the tobacco-free directive. The objective of the direction is to prevent the tobacco abuse within the educational institutions. UN Khawar, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) Joint Commissioner (Academics) issued the latest order to the deputy commissioners of all KVS regional offices in this respect.

The order ensured that all the schools functioning under KVS must adhere to the rules and also prevent use of tobacco by students, teachers and the non-teaching staff in the school premises.

Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth (HRIDAY) urged KVS to make all their schools in the country, a tobacco-free zone. The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry issued Guidelines for Tobacco Free Schools/ Educational Institutions. Based on these guidelines issued by the ministry, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) disseminated a compulsory set of guidelines for tobacco-free schools all over the country.

According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey India Report-2009, nearly 15 per cent Indian youth in the age group of 13-15 years use tobacco in one form or the other every day. Tobacco use kills more than a million Indians every year. The tobacco free directive is a good initiative combating the addiction menace.