Srinagar, June 22: The health and educational institutions across Kashmir on Wednesday took “no tobacco pledge” and organized events as part of the Tobacco Free Youth campaign.
The pledge was taken under the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign under the Tobacco Control Cell of the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir on the Directions of Bupinder Kumar, Administrative Secretary Health and Medical Education Department J&K.
Dr Mir Mushtaq, Nodal Officer (Kashmir), National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) said the “no tobacco pledge” was ceremonies were held in all the health and educational institutions
He said during the pledge ceremony, awareness programs were also held in which the ill effects of tobacco were enumerated. Pertinently, the health department Kashmir launched an aggressive anti-tobacco campaign across the valley on the World No Tobacco Day.
Earlier, the School Education Department Kashmir had directed Chief Education Officers to ensure that all educational institutions clearly mark a 100-yard zone to prohibit the sale of tobacco and related products outside their compounds.
“The campaign has been picking up pace for the past few days and enforcement drives have been started and we are focussed on the educational institutions,” he said.
Mir said schools should display ‘Tobacco Free Educational Institution’ signage within the premises, and a “Tobacco Free Area” signage outside the institution.
