Girl students in the age group of 13-15 are consuming more smokelesstobaccoin schools private and government — than boys in the same age group in Jharkhand, according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai
According to the survey, which was released by state Health minister Banna Gupta on Monday, 7.5% of the students out of a sample size of 4,010 in the age group of 13-15 use smokeless tobacco. Among the 7.5% students, 8.9% are girls while 6% are boys. The survey was conducted in 32 schools.
Expressing concern over the increased usage of tobacco products among girl students, Gupta said that the menace can be reduced if the Centre brought stringent provisions in COTPA Act along the lines of the one in Jharkhand so that the younger generations can be away from these products. Strict action against violators of COTPA Act would be taken and it will not just apply to small shopkeepers but also to the manufacturers, he added.