The Delhi government has written to CBSE and NCERT for inclusion of tobacco related matters in the curriculum of 6 to 12 standard students, for sensitising students at an early age about the perils of smoking.
"We have written to CBSE and NCERT for inclusion of tobacco related matter as a chapter in course curriculum of 6 to 12 standard students so that the students, teachers and parents are sensitised right from the beginning and lakhs of deaths every year due to tobacco use get prevented," said Dr S K Arora, Additional Director of Health, Delhi government.
The official underlined the importance of sensitising children about the issue, especially when the markets are flooded with products like e-cigarettes and hookah bars.
"Around 14 per cent of students are affected by tobacco habits and the new marketing strategies of tobacco industry bringing e-cigarettes and hookah bars, are doing damage to young boys and girls.
"At the tender age of four, children pick up chewable tobacco habits which is very dangerous and responsible for oral cancer in 90 per cent of cases," said Arora.
Arora said that the NCERT had expressed its willingness to consider the proposal.
"NCERT last week had responded to consider this in their next committee meeting to be held shortly," he said.
The Delhi government also observed 'Dry Day' (observed on the last day of every month) and appealed the tobacco vendors to close their shops voluntarily and the general public to refrain from tobacco use.
"Today educational institutes, schools and coaching centres were mainly targeted. In Shahdara district alone around 20 government and private schools were inspected and around 700 schools staff including teachers sensitised about the perils of tobacco use.
"Around ten challans were issued to some of the schools for various violations under section 4 of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 and a fine of Rs 8,500 was collected," Arora added.
