PATNA: The state education department is gearing up to observe World No Tobacco Day on May 31, with a view to raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco. The theme for this year is ‘We need food, not tobacco’.
The department has issued a letter to all the district education officers of the state urging them to organize various activities including – oath programmes, painting competitions on this year’s theme and take out ‘prabhat pheris’ or awareness rallies led by teachers, employees, and students in educational institutions across the state.
“Ultimate happiness comes only from good health, and tobacco is the worst enemy of health. Therefore, we must say no to tobacco in any form,” said additional chief secretary (education) Dipak Kumar Singh.
The department expressed concern over the growing number of children falling prey to tobacco addiction, with approximately 440 children becoming victims of tobacco addiction every day in the state. The department has emphasized the importance of creating awareness among children and teachers to prevent tobacco consumption and addiction.
“Several awareness programmes will be held in all schools on ‘No Tobacco day’. We have issued instructions to district officers for conducting this campaign,” Singh said.
“The tobacco industry specifically targets children and youth because they are easily influenced, especially by pop culture and celebrity endorsements. It is commendable that the education department is targeting educational institutions to address this issue. By educating our youth about tobacco’s dangers, we can counter the tobacco industry’s influence,” said Deepak Mishra, executive director, Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS).
Educational institutions in the state and district-level have been actively organizing various activities on this day for several years, aiming to generate awareness among children and teachers on the harmful affects of tobacco consumption and addiction. “Tobacco acts as a gateway to other addictions, so it’s vital to prevent its use among young people,” Mishra said.
The department has instructed district education officers to submit a district-wise compliance report to it within a stipulated time frame.
The department has issued a letter to all the district education officers of the state urging them to organize various activities including – oath programmes, painting competitions on this year’s theme and take out ‘prabhat pheris’ or awareness rallies led by teachers, employees, and students in educational institutions across the state.
“Ultimate happiness comes only from good health, and tobacco is the worst enemy of health. Therefore, we must say no to tobacco in any form,” said additional chief secretary (education) Dipak Kumar Singh.
The department expressed concern over the growing number of children falling prey to tobacco addiction, with approximately 440 children becoming victims of tobacco addiction every day in the state. The department has emphasized the importance of creating awareness among children and teachers to prevent tobacco consumption and addiction.
“Several awareness programmes will be held in all schools on ‘No Tobacco day’. We have issued instructions to district officers for conducting this campaign,” Singh said.
“The tobacco industry specifically targets children and youth because they are easily influenced, especially by pop culture and celebrity endorsements. It is commendable that the education department is targeting educational institutions to address this issue. By educating our youth about tobacco’s dangers, we can counter the tobacco industry’s influence,” said Deepak Mishra, executive director, Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS).
Educational institutions in the state and district-level have been actively organizing various activities on this day for several years, aiming to generate awareness among children and teachers on the harmful affects of tobacco consumption and addiction. “Tobacco acts as a gateway to other addictions, so it’s vital to prevent its use among young people,” Mishra said.
The department has instructed district education officers to submit a district-wise compliance report to it within a stipulated time frame.
