In pursuance of the guidelines for Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India for effective implementation of ToEFI in Sikkim, an awareness programme was conducted within the college campus on 24th April 2025. Prior to the program the Nodal teacher along with student Tobacco Monitors for ToEFI, NBBGC, conducted a survey with the objective to find out the number of shops selling tobacco products in an area within 100 yards from the college premise. With assistance from the Police Department, Govt. of Sikkim and Area Councilor it was made mandatory for the shopkeepers of those shops to attend the program. One day before the program copies of No Smoking signage were prepared by the student Tobacco Monitors and stuck in and around the college campus, especially outside the toilets.
The participants comprised of the shopkeepers and students from IInd Semester students. Deputy Director (Health Dept, Govt. of Sikkim), Mr. Rinzing Bhutia gave a talk on the health hazards of tobacco consumption, Cigarettes and Other Tobbacco Products Act, 2003. After which Sub Inspector (Police Dept, Govt. of Sikkim) Mr. Ong Dawa Sherpa explained the student participants and the shopkeepers regarding the serious implementation of the Act and the associated legal implications. Further, Area Councilor Mr. Milan Gautam explained the shopkeepers about the COTPA Act, 2003 and ToFEI initiative implemented by the Govt. of India. He requested the shopkeepers to strictly adhere to the rules and the penalty that would follow its violation. This was followed by question and answer session where the shopkeepers and student participants put up various doubts regarding the implementation of ToFEI which was clarified from the Deputy Director and Area Councilor’s side. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Nodal teacher for ToFEI, Dr. Makutaa Rai, Assistant Professor, NBBGC.
