Don't participate in events promoting tobacco: Delhi Government to schools
The Delhi Government has directed schools in the national capital not to participate in any event sponsored by firms or sellers that promote the use, manufacture or sale of tobacco products. The government has also directed that prizes or scholarships offered by such firms should not be accepted by educational institutions or students.
"A tobacco-free educational institute must not participate in any event sponsored by any firm or seller which promotes the use, manufacture or sale of tobacco product in any form," the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in a letter to school principals. "Prizes or scholarships offered by such firms should not be accepted by educational institutions or students," the letter further said.
"Even as the government has prohibited electronic-cigarettes and similar devices through The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019, the tobacco industry and manufacturers have changed their strategy," the city government has claimed.
The letter by the DoE comes following the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry to avoid any collaboration with a tobacco industry-led foundation in the larger interest of public health. The DoE has advised schools to remain vigilant against such attempts to target young children and protect them from exposure to tobacco use.
"Now, in the garb of Foundation for Smoke-Free World (FSFW) and through Conrad Foundation, Philip Morris International (PMI) is trying to promote its products as harm reduction devices. Conrad Challenge has announced two new competitions in the recent round of 2020-21," the city government said.
