Signboards warning against smoking will have to be put up at the entrance, every floor and the elevator entrance in the premises of all institutions under the purview of the Higher Technical Education department of the state government, as per instructions issued by the department on June 24. The instructions apply to all colleges in the state.
Besides no-smoking warnings, the notice boards must also display the contact details of the person from the institution to whom complaints can be made against the violation of the no-smoking rule in the institution's premises. The contact person's details include his/her name, designation and contact number.
In addition, the notice boards must also mention that there is a fine of Rs200 for violating the instructions.
Moreover, the board at the entrance of the institution must also mention the rule that no sale of cigarettes or tobacco is permitted within 100 metres of the premises of the college.
All colleges must follow these instructions and send a compliance report about it to the education department by July 10.
Though city colleges claim they have not yet received the instructions yet, they have welcomed the move of the department to curb the tobacco consumption habit.
Tukaram Shiware, Director of KPB Hinduja college, said, "The move of the department is welcome and we will follow the instructions once they reach us."
The principal of Wilson College, VJ Sirwaya, said, "The intention is good, but everything depends on how it will be implemented. I don't have a sign board in my college right now, but there is no harm in following the instructions."
