The Madras High Court on Friday sought a response from the Central and State governments regarding a plea that requests strict implementation of the Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines in all schools and the establishment of child tobacco cessation centres in every district across Tamil Nadu.
A division bench comprising Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice M. Jothiraman was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate R. Manibharathi.
The petitioner argued that tobacco products, including cigarettes and khaini (a form of smokeless tobacco), are easily accessible near educational institutions. This situation demands urgent attention and collective action from the authorities. Although the Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of smokeless tobacco products, they remain readily available in small shops.
The petitioner noted that a single bench of the High Court in 2024 issued several directions to the Centre and the State, including the establishment of a child tobacco cessation centre in every district staffed with experts to counsel and treat addicted children. The court also directed the State to form a two-member tobacco monitoring committee in each school to conduct periodic inspections of the school premises and its surroundings, and to report any evidence of tobacco product use or sale to children to the police or the food safety officer concerned. Additionally, the court ordered oral and dental health checks for all school students at least twice every academic year to look for tobacco or nicotine stains.
The petitioner stated that he submitted representations urging immediate steps to implement the guidelines in all schools and to set up child tobacco cessation centres in every district, as per the 2024 court directions. Since no action was taken, he approached the court again.
