| Summary: | Background and challenges to implementation
Tobacco Industry (TI) aggressively targets young children and
adolescents as new recruits. The early age of initiation for TI assures tobacco
usage for longer period. As per GATS 2010, of all ever daily tobacco users (age
20-34), almost 60% initiate tobacco use before age of 17.8. It calls for urgent
intervension.
As per GATS 2010, Jharkhand state in India has one of the
highest total prevalence rate as 50.01% against national average of 34.6%. This
is disturbing.
Government of India enacted its tobacco control law i.e.
Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act, 2003 (COTPA). It prohibits smoking in
all public places including schools (section 4), forbids sale to and by minors
(section 6-A) and bans sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of any
educational institution (section 6-b).
Intervention or response
3.5 million students of age 14 to 18 studying in 3517 schools
in Jharkhand state were protected through
multipronged coordinated interventions adopted by Director of School
Education, SEEDS and The UNION, technical support partners to state
Government. Massive awareness program
was launched. All stake holders including DEOs, teachers, media, school
management committee, parents, peer groups were made sensitive and responsible
ensuring that
·
No
sale of tobacco products around 100 Yards of schools.
·
No
use of tobacco in schools
·
Display
of two warning signages mandated under section 4 and section 6(b).
Continuous monitoring of implementation process was the
key. Strict actions were also taken.
Results and lessons learnt
Visionary Zeal and regular personal monitoring resulted in
high compliance of section 4 and section 6(b) ensuring 3517 Schools being
declared tobacco-free in two years.
Conclusions and key recommendations
Strategic, collaborative and multipronged coodinated intervention
at school level results in reducing students´ exposure and their accessibility
to tobacco products significantly. This minimizes chances of picking up this
dangerous habit. It protects young generation. And, Protecting Young Generation
means saving Nation.
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