UGC News: If cigarettes and tobacco are found in colleges, then there will be trouble! UGC is strict, tobacco free campus guidelines will have to be implemented

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given strict instructions to all educational institutions across the country that the guidelines for tobacco free campus should be followed 100%. Tobacco should not be used in any form on the campus. Strict steps should also be taken to ensure the ban on the sale of tobacco products around the campus. On September 11, UGC has written to the Vice Chancellors of all universities and principals of colleges that tobacco addiction among the youth is a matter of great concern. It is the responsibility of educational institutions to strictly implement every rule set to overcome this problem. UGC has also expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of e-cigarettes among students.

‘Addiction under the age of 20 lasts a lifetime’

Citing the example of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019, UGC has said that 8.5% of students aged 13 to 15 years use tobacco products in different ways. More than 5500 children get addicted to tobacco every year. The survey revealed that about 14% of students (13-15 years) in India had become addicted to tobacco. After this, a campaign was run in educational institutions and some effect was also seen. But tobacco use by students is still a matter of concern.

This survey claimed that most of the people who start consuming tobacco at the age of less than 20 years become addicted to it for life. The use of tobacco and e-cigarettes affects the fast learning ability of students.

The Ministry of Health had made guidelines for tobacco free campus. It has been sent to every institute. Tobacco free campus includes those institutes in which the use of tobacco products is prohibited inside the campus and outside area (up to 100 yards). The institutes have made comprehensive policies for this. It is necessary to put up a board of tobacco free area in universities and colleges. These institutes have to organize tobacco control programs regularly. The Ministry of Health also keeps writing to the states from time to time about effectively implementing the ban on e-cigarettes. The ban on e-cigarettes has been in force in the country since 2019.

Institutions will benefit only if they take strict steps

The ban on the use of tobacco in educational institutions is already in place. Despite this, students easily get e-cigarettes and tobacco products in the campus and hostels. Experts say that the objective will not be achieved by just writing from UGC. As long as universities and colleges do not fulfill their responsibilities properly, this problem will persist. In such a situation, the question is whether educational institutions do not know how and from where students easily get intoxicants?

It has come to the notice of UGC that e-cigarettes are available through online stores and local vendors. Students also get e-cigarettes in connivance with stationery stores. In such a situation, unless the university administration takes strict action, the future of the students will continue to be ruined.