KOCHI: In the light of increasing illegal sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, the district health department has decided to bring in stringent policies to tighten the noose around the neck of antitobacco law violators.The department will launch ‘Yellow Line Campaign’ , through which a yellow line will demarcate the 100 yards around school and colleges and declare the area as a tobacco-free zone. District health authorities have submitted the proposal of the same to National Health Mission (NHM) and plan to begin it in the coming months.According to health officials, the campaign is aimed at the strict implementation of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), and curb use of tobacco among students. Section 6 (a) of COTPA prohibits sale of tobacco products to and by minors and prohibits the sale within a radius of 100 yards (91.44m) of educational institutions. But the raids by health officials have found that many shops within this radius violate the rules.“We receive frequent complaints from school authorities about the easy availability of tobacco products near schools. Through the campaign, yellow lines will be drawn on roads and other public places at 100 yards from educational institutions. It will be a warning for the violators. Moreover, public and school authorities can easily notice if shops within the yellow line radius violate the law. Anti-tobacco awareness campaigns will be held in all educational institutions,” said Ernakulam deputy district medical officer and nodal officer of COTPA implementation Vidya K R.The decision is also expected to check the increased use of tobacco products, especially smokeless tobacco, as a gateway drug among students in the age between 13 and 19 years. The availability in abundance near schools makes tobacco one of the gateway drugs for students as its continuous use will make students to try stronger substances from ganja to synthetic drugs. Studies have found that nicotine in tobacco makes the brain more susceptible to synthetic drug addiction.Health officials said that chewable or smokeless tobacco products are more addictive than cigarette or beedi smoking.“Smokeless tobacco products are the most affordable narcotic substance for students. Availability in abundance is a major reason as there is a steady supply of these products into the city to meet the rising demand, especially among migrant labourers. Moreover, it does not have any visible intoxication effects and students can use it even in class or their homes without catching the attention of teachers or parents. It is easy to hide these products anywhere. So as beginners, students may easily start using it,” said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a gastroenterologist and public health educator who takes antidrug awareness classes in schools

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