HC directive to snuff out tobacco use among kids

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the state government to set up School Protection Committees (SPCs) to tackle tobacco use among children. “The use of tobacco products is rampant among children and adolescents who are below the poverty line,” the court observed.The SPCs, comprising representatives of parents and teachers, should be headed by the head of an institution. The school leader and the local station house officer will also be part of the team.    The court has also asked the state to form a District Level Monitoring committee (DMC) under the chairmanship of the respective District Collectors.  The monitoring committees, including the District Educational Officer, District Medical Officer and the District Police Chief will periodically supervise the functioning of the school protection committee in the district and initiate necessary action.  The committee shall meet at least once every three months. The DMCs shall educate school children on the evil effects of the tobacco and its allied products, through seminars and other methods.The court also directed the state to strictly implement the provisions with regard to the prohibition of sale of cigarettes and tobacco products around education institutions.The committee can also recommend action against schools that violate the court directive. The district-level committees shall have powers to conduct surprise inspections at any school and surroundings to ensure that these directions are complied.There shall be a state-level committee chaired by the home secretary to monitor the District Committee.Furthermore, the HC directed the Central and state governments and the Central Board of Film Certification to ensure that films, tele-serials and other visual media do not include scenes which may encourage the use of tobaccos. The court said that no scenes are to be depicted which would violate the provisions laid under the Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.