Vizag Leads the Way: Educational Institutions Declared Tobacco-Free Zones

In a significant step toward promoting public health and safety, the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Public Health Department, has declared all educational institutions in the city as tobacco-free zones. This initiative is part of a broader campaign to curb tobacco use and protect young minds from its harmful effects.

The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) will be strictly enforced, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of schools and colleges. The city police, under the leadership of Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, have launched a comprehensive action plan that includes awareness campaigns, training programs for law enforcement, and the installation of "No Smoking" boards at educational institutions.

Health experts, including Dr. Uma Sankar Tantravahi from the Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital, have lauded the move, emphasizing its potential to reduce tobacco-related diseases. The initiative also aligns with the National Tobacco Control Programme's goals of creating a healthier environment for students and the community at large.

Sources: The Hans India, Nagpur Today.