89% schools and 87% colleges declared tobacco-free: DPH

In Tamil Nadu, 89% of schools and 87% of colleges have been declared as tobacco-free educational institutions, according to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

Issuing a press release in line with the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) observed on May 31, T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, said that Tamil Nadu has implemented comprehensive interventions focussed on enforcement, awareness, capacity building, cessation services and safeguarding institutions from tobacco exposure.

This year, WNTD is observed on the theme “Unmasking the appeal: Exposing industry tactics on tobacco and nicotine products” underscoring the urgent need to counter deceptive marketing strategies targeting children, adolescents and vulnerable communities, the release said.

Listing out key achievements in tobacco control (up to May 2025) in the State, the directorate said on strict enforcement of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), a total of 4,60,486 persons were fined and a fine amount of ₹7,97,13,387 was collected. A total of 45,865 out of 51,477 schools and 2,173 out of 2,484 colleges were declared tobacco-free.

To enforce Section 6 of COTPA and to protect the young, the directorate has asked district officials to ensure that all educational institutions mark the 100-yard tobacco-free zones by implementing the “Yellow Line Campaign”.

“This year’s theme reminds us that the battle against tobacco is not just about controlling consumption — it is about exposing the industries that profit by endangering lives,” he said. Dr. Selvavinagayam added that Tamil Nadu leads by example with widespread enforcement, education, and community engagement. “Through initiatives like the Yellow Line Campaign, we are drawing a visible boundary between our children and the threat of tobacco.”

In line with this year’s theme, Cancer Institute (WIA) organised a series of events that included an awareness rally, sand sculpture, open mic and announcement of awareness messages in Chennai Metro Rail stations, according to a press release.

The department of Psycho-Oncology, Cancer Institute (WIA) along with HCL Foundation organised the awareness rally at Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar on May 31. Nearly 1,000 participants including school and college students took part. R. Murugan, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police, Adyar Range and T. G. Sagar, Governing Body Member and former director, Cancer Institute (WIA) were present.

A social media campaign aligned with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) WNTD was also held. It highlighted tobacco’s harmful effects, debunked myths, and exposed industry tactics targeting youth, and promoted the health benefits of quitting tobacco to encourage informed choices.

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research conducted an awareness rally to mark WNTD. Students, faculty members and healthcare professionals participated in the rally. Sri Ramachandra Hospital has opened a cessation clinic as per WHO guidelines to overcome addiction of tobacco usage through counselling and supportive medication, a release said.

Published - June 01, 2025 03:55 am IST