Society 'Rakshak's: Students pitch against tobacco use

INDORE: The district administration seems to be in no mood to let go off smokers in the city. In its anti-tobacco drive, authorities are forming ‘Rakshak’ teams comprising youngsters especially school and college-goers, to spread awareness about harmful affects of tobacco among people.
So far, hundreds of ‘Rakshak’ teams at school and college-level have been formed in different institutes of the city and now teams are being formed at class-level.
“Youth are most vulnerable to smoking especially during their school and college days. Forming teams is aimed at creating awareness among youngsters about fagging and its ill-affects,” said SDM and district coordinator of anti-tobacco drive Sandeep Soni on Friday. He said hundreds of students of Advanced Academy, on the occasion of Children’s Day, were administered oath against tobacco use.
“Most government schools have formed ‘Rakshak’ and some private institutions have declared themselves free from tobacco,” said Soni, adding that these youngsters will act as ambassadors for spreading anti-tobacco message.
Smoking is banned at public places in Indore under Section 3(l) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 'public place' means any place to which the public have access to, but does not include any open space. Smoking is also prohibited at open spaces like open auditoriums, stadiums, railway stations and bus stops.
He said since July this year more than 1000 people have been fined for smoking at public places. “The number of fine slapped in Indore in last five months is more than the total number of people fined in the country,” claimed Soni, adding that as per the National Tobacco Control Act, a person caught smoking in public must pay a fine of Rs 200.
According to Union health ministry, thousands of people die due to passive smoking every year.