West Bengal Higher Secondary Council Puts Ban on E-Smoking at Schools – News18

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) on March 19 issued a notice to all affiliated schools, urging them to take proactive measures against the use of smoking gadgets. This directive follows an order from the law branch of the school education department on February 28, which was prompted by a notice from the Ministry of Education in December.

The Higher Secondary council’s notice serves as a reminder to all schools under its jurisdiction to uphold regulations regarding the use of smoking devices. The order also stated that the Heads of Institutions (HOIs) are strongly urged to cease the sale of such harmful items from stationery shops situated near schools or any educational institution.

“All HOIs are advised to take necessary action against use of any kind of smoking gadgets, like e-cigarettes, on school premises and they are further advised strictly to stop selling this kind of harmful items from stationery shops near school or any education institution,” read the notice signed by WBCHSE president Chiranjib Bhattacharya.

The notice comes in response to two reported complaints during this year’s Higher Secondary examination, prompting the council to alert all schools, reported Times of India. In light of these incidents, the notice has also been forwarded to district inspectors, aiming to raise awareness among local administrations about the need to restrict the sale of any harmful items from shops located near schools.

The TOI quoted WBCHSE president Bhattacharya as saying that high schools are crucial in helping students acquire disciplinary knowledge prior to enrolling in higher education. Building awareness against using such prohibited items is also necessary for a brighter future of the students.

What is E-smoking?

E-smoking, also known as vaping, is the act of inhaling and exhaling aerosol, often referred to as vapor, produced by an electronic smoking device. These devices, such as electronic cigarettes, vape pens, and mods, work by heating a liquid solution, typically containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals, to create the vapor. E-smoking is considered an alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, as it eliminates the combustion process and many of the harmful chemicals associated with burning tobacco. While the long-term health effects of e-smoking are still being studied, it is generally believed to be less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes.