Lok Sabha Question No. 2934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Tobacco Shops Near Schools
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2934

ANSWERED ON 07/08/2023

## Tobacco Shops Near Schools

†2934.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

- Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the children are getting addicted to tobacco due to the proximity of tobacco shops near their schools in various States across the country; (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to check this issue and whether it is enacting any law in this regard; and (c) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) to (c): Central Government has enacted the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply  and Distribution) Act, 2003  (COTPA  2003),  to  discourage  use  of  tobacco,  with  emphasis  on  protection  of  children  and young people from being addicted to the use of tobacco. As per Section 6 (a) of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and  Commerce, Production,  Supply  and  Distribution)  Act,  2003  (COTPA,  2003)  read  with  Cigarettes  and  Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and  Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Rules, 2011, there is prohibition on sale of tobacco products to and by persons below the age of 18 years and as per Section 6 (b) of COTPA, 2003, there is  prohibition  on  sale  of  tobacco  products  in  an  area  within  a  radius  of  one  hundred  yards  of  any educational institution.

Revised Guidelines for 'Tobacco free Educational Institutions (TOFEI)' have been developed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for effective implementation of Section-6 of COTPA, 2003. The guidelines were circulated to all States/UTs by Department of School Education and Literacy for effective implementation  of  these guidelines in all educational institutions vide letter dated 17.09.2019 and reiterated vide letters dated 18.12.2020, 08.01.2021 and 07.07.2022. These guidelines lay  down  the  roles  &  responsibilities  of  different  stakeholders'  viz.  Central  Government:  State Governments:  Educational  Institutions  and  Civil  Society  Organization  for  making  Educational Institution  tobacco  free.  Public  Health  is a State  subject  and  the  primary  responsibility  for enforcement of the Act lies with the State Governments.

Further,  under  the  School  Health  and  Wellness  Programme  (SHP)  under  Ayushman  Bharat, special  classes  and  experiential  learning  activities  like  Role  Play,  Folk  Dance,  Poster  making, Creative writing, Debate, Discussion and Skill Building activities are organised with school students for awareness generation on issues related to tobacco, drug / substance misuse. The Central Board of Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  has  introduced  Life-Skills  education  as  a  part  of  curriculum  in  the schools  affiliated  to  it.  Life-skills  enable  students  to  abstain  from  tobacco  and  other  addictive substances.  CBSE  schools  follow  textbooks  of  NCERT  which  have  content  related  to  drug  abuse including the ill effects of tobacco in the syllabus of Classes VIII, XI and XII. CBSE has also been issuing  periodic  circulars  to  schools  affiliated  to  it  for  sensitizing  all  students  about  ill-effects  of tobacco.

In addition, 'Guidelines on School Safety and Security' developed by  the Department, interalia, contain provisions for fixing the accountability of school management, various stakeholders and different departments in ensuring the safety and security of children studying in Government Schools, Government-Aided Schools and Private Schools. These guidelines are advisory in nature and interalia include roles & responsibility of School/School Management for taking necessary action in case of  sale  of  tobacco  or  any  other  intoxicating  substances  is  noticed  within  100  yards  of  the  school premises.

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