Ghaziabad: Residents of Gyan Khand in Indirapuram have raised concerns over three tobacco shops allegedly operating within 100 metres of a private school. Similar complaints have emerged from other neighbourhoods, including Vasundhara and Vaishali, highlighting growing public health concerns about such shops near educational institutions.Under Section 6(b) of India’s Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, selling tobacco products within 100 yards (approx. 91 meters) of educational institutions is strictly prohibited. Violations are punishable by fines, and schools must display warning boards about this prohibition.Residents have written to the district education officer and the municipal commissioner, seeking action. “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.Parents are especially concerned that easily accessible tobacco products near schools could hamper students’ mental and physical development. Residents have urged authorities to strictly enforce current rules and remove all tobacco kiosks within 100 meters of schools. They also call for restrictions on tobacco use by people waiting for children outside, including rickshaw pullers and auto drivers.“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,” said Dr Shivani Agarwal, a resident of Vaishali.A response from municipal officials is awaited on the matter.
