The Hindu : Front Page : Tobacco-free campus: Health Department seeks MKU support

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Monday, Sep 14, 2009
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Tobacco-free campus: Health Department seeks MKU support

Shastry V. Mallady

Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine speaks to Vice-Chancellor

“VC very positive to the idea”
“Students, staff to be sensitised”

MADURAI: As part of the Health Department’s anti-smoking initiatives, the Madurai Kamaraj University has been approached to launch steps for keeping the varsity campus ‘tobacco-free’ and ask for the same in its affiliated colleges.

Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine S. Elango on Sunday spoke to Vice-Chancellor R. Karpaga Kumaravel, seeking his support in taking measures towards declaring the university as the tobacco-free zone. “The Vice-Chancellor was very positive to the idea and assured all support for the plan. We will work together in sensitising the students, staff and the public to the dangers of smoking,” Dr. Elango said.

Stating that the Health Department was keen to declare MKU as tobacco-free campus after doing a few joint programmes, Dr. Elango said that the university could insist its affiliated colleges to implement programmes in that direction.

“When a college management comes for affiliation renewal, the university can ask for the steps they have taken in this regard. By doing that, there will be awareness at the college level also,” he said.

According to the Director, the university could try to ensure that sale of tobacco products does not take place in the vicinity of campus.

Displaying ‘no-smoking’ boards in university campus at prominent locations and warning of punishment for violators were suggested.

The senior health official said that the varsity authorities would be asked to administer a pledge to students that they would keep away from smoking.

“After the State Government launched the anti-smoking drive in public places, there is an increased public awareness. Even the chain smokers have reduced the number of cigarettes they were smoking per day,” said Dr. Elango.

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