Intensifying Tobacco free zone near educational institutions- Public Health Dept!!
The Tamil Nadu government has been taking several steps to prevent or curb the sale of tobacco and tobacco related products is well known to us. It is worth mentioning here that consumption of tobacco and related products are dangerous for our health as there are more chances of getting serious health issues like cancer etc.
Especially near the educational institutions, special enforcement activity has been intensified now. It is noteworthy that manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutka, pan masala, cool lip and other chewable tobacco products should not be allowed within 300 feet from educational institutions.
It has been mentioned by the public health department that a total of 460486 people have been fined and a penalty amount of Rs 78713387 has been collected due to the strict enforcement of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act or COTPA Act under tobacco control (till May 2025).
Point to be noted is that a total of 45865 out of 51477 schools and 2173 out of 2484 colleges have been declared tobacco free.
Under the COTPA Act and through the yellow line campaign, the public health dept has given instructions to the district authorities to make sure that educational institutions for a distance of 300 feet have been maintained as no tobacco zones. Moreover, the public health dept has asked every citizen, parents, and youths etc to join hands with them to eradicate tobacco usage.
