THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The City Corporation, which had formed squads to check the sale of tobacco items near schools, is taking the war against tobacco items a little further. It is all set to kick off an anti-tobacco campaign in schools by forming and strengthening school sanitation committees by June 30. A meeting held in the Corporation lounge to discuss the issue on Monday was attended by shopkeepers, school authorities, residents’ association representatives and support groups, including the representatives of voluntary organisations. It was decided to ask the schools to form the committees soon and chart out a framework for action. In the ward-level too, such sanitation committees would be formed exclusively for the awareness campaigns of anti-tobacco programmes. These would be chaired by the councillors, while representatives of residents’ associations would also be members. In schools, the committees could be strengthened by the presence of PTA members, teachers and supporting groups. The PTA should take up the challenge of taking the message to the students about the harmful effects of tobacco and pan masala use. ‘’Very soon, boards stating the message ‘Consumption of tobacco products is punishable’ would start appearing in front of schools in the city. It would tell the students that the use of such products has been banned under a piece of legislation in 2004 and so consuming them could land them in trouble. It would, to some extent, keep students from getting more into the habit,’’ said S Pushpalatha, Health Standing Committee Chairperson. The Corporation would also convene a meeting of the police officials on June 28 to discuss the matter. ‘’We need the support of the police to conduct the campaign in a more effective manner,’’ Pushpalatha said. As of now, two squads are doing the rounds of the schools in the city and checking shops, where the items are allegedly sold. However, it could do wonders only if the campaign is taken up and owned by the students, the officials feel.
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