Ghaziabad Residents Demand Action on Tobacco Shops Near Schools, Citing Health Risks
Tobacco Shops Near Ghaziabad Schools Spark Health Concerns

Ghaziabad Residents Demand Action on Tobacco Shops Near Schools, Citing Health Risks

Residents of Gyan Khand in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, have voiced serious concerns over three tobacco shops allegedly operating within 100 meters of a private school, sparking a broader public health debate. Similar complaints have emerged from other neighbourhoods, including Vasundhara and Vaishali, highlighting a growing issue of such establishments near educational institutions.

Legal Violations Under COTPA

Under Section 6(b) of India's Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, selling tobacco products within 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) of educational institutions is strictly prohibited. Violations can result in fines, and schools are required to display warning boards about this prohibition to ensure compliance.

Community Outcry and Official Appeals

Residents have taken formal action by writing to the district education officer and the municipal commissioner, seeking immediate intervention. "We all know that there should be no tobacco shops within 100 meters of the school campus, but this continues to happen here," stated Harvinder Singh, a resident of Indirapuram, expressing frustration over the lack of enforcement.

Parents are particularly alarmed, fearing that easily accessible tobacco products near schools could negatively impact students' mental and physical development. The community has urged authorities to:

  • Strictly enforce existing rules to remove all tobacco kiosks within 100 meters of schools.
  • Implement restrictions on tobacco use by individuals, such as rickshaw pullers and auto drivers, who wait for children outside school premises.

"Consuming tobacco should be prohibited within 100 m of a school. This would include rickshaw pullers, auto and cab drivers, etc., who sometimes consume tobacco while waiting outside the schools," emphasized Dr Shivani Agarwal, a resident of Vaishali, underscoring the need for comprehensive measures.

Awaiting Official Response

As of now, a response from municipal officials is pending, leaving residents in a state of anticipation. The situation reflects broader challenges in urban governance and public health enforcement, with calls for stricter monitoring and community awareness to safeguard young minds from tobacco-related harms.