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| KU campus becomes smokers' den | | COTPA goes for a six | | Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 3: The students and staff of University of Kashmir (KU), the highest seat of learning here, can be seen smoking in isolated corners and lawns of the campus in clear violation of law and simultaneously reinforcing the recent study by Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) that Jammu & Kashmir has highest smokers in India.
The cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, prohibits smoking in public places including educational institutions. Moreover, the Act clearly states that 'Tobacco products cannot be sold to person below the age of 18 years, and in places within 100 metres radius from the outer boundary of an institution of education, which includes school colleges and institutions of higher learning established or recognized by an appropriate authority.'
Following this, KU adopted the concept of 'smoke free campus'. However, smoking and sale of the tobacco products still continues actively in and around the varsity. The students and staff have unofficial smoking corners and hideouts.
Wajid Maqbool, a PG student and a non-smoker, believes that the campus has selected smoking zones, though the policy does not corroborate this assumption. "Technically, there should not be any approved smoking areas on campus as it is clearly against the law," Wajid added. Another student, a smoker, pointed out the areas around cafes and other tea stalls as the unofficial smoking zone. "The no-smoking policy is unfair to us. We all are mature enough to take our decisions and as such should be allowed to smoke at designated places. Some people are really dependent on cigarettes and smoking helps them to get through their day. If we have a specific smoking place, we all would go there, it'd just make it easier for everyone," he said. While discussing this issue with University's Chief Proctor, he said, "The success of any initiative from our side depends solely on the cooperation from students. The key to ensuring the policy will be respected is proper awareness and that is what we have been working on primarily. We are observing an upwards rate of compliance." Even though Staff Members and students have been fined and admonished from time to time for breaking the rules, the fine amount is too less to act as a deterrent. "Our duty is not to obtain money from smokers but to ask them to leave smoking and make them morally conscious about the ill-effects. We collect the names and student Ids of these smokers. If they don't leave, at that point they are required to pay fine. In case of repetition, we might even call their parents," added the Proctor. Many students feel conflicted about smoking bans in campus. They suggest the ban is not useful and serves no purpose. "Smokers will still find a way to smoke no matter what," said Adil Nabi, a student. Pertinently, J&K is the fast emerging as the 'smoking capital' of north India as VHAI report puts the stats at 12 per cent cigarette smokers, 3.8 percent bidi smokers and 8.0 percent smokeless tobacco users in the state. |
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