Increasing smoking menace

Govt. to introduce special subject in school curriculum from next academic session


Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU,Oct 21: With rising number of school children experimenting with the cigarettes at the  early age, education department has decided to introduce special subject 'hazards of smoking and drug addiction' in the curriculum from primary to higher secondary level from next academic session. These way governments want to create awareness among the children about the dangers of the smoking.


Though the J&K has already banned the smoking and selling of products outside the educational institutions but still this restriction is not proving enough to curb the smoking among the children. 


Minister for Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said that Government is contemplating to introduce a special subject on hazards of smoking in the curriculum so that teachers are able to tell the children about the dangers of the smoking. “It has become necessary as most of the drug users and who engage in smoking belong to the age group of 14 to 20 years the prime age when the minds of children are shaped”, said Minister.


The Minister said that he had directed the law enforcement agencies to strictly implement anti narcotic law to get the society rid off the menace of drug trafficking and addiction, particularly around the educational institutions.


An official said that government has create a conducive atmosphere for bringing awareness among the masses against smoking and ensure smoke free State so that Jammu and Kashmir becomes a most pollution free and healthy State. “Not only the awareness programs but strict law enforcement is also necessary to curb the menace of smoking”, said a official from the education department.


Under Section-4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003 (better known as COTPA), smoking in public places is prohibited and any violation of this Act is punishable with a fine up to Rs 200. 


It is pertinent to mention here that not only the smoking but AIDS awareness has also become a important subject in the educational institutions. With number of AIDS cases showing rise in the state and lack of awareness among the masses from the threat, State Education Department along with J&K State AIDS Control Society has decided to train 5000 school teachers to create awareness among the people, particularly in rural areas about the deadly disease.