Minister of Education Shaik Baksh said strong disciplinary action would be taken against teachers who smoke in school.

In an address at the Cyril Potter College of Education to observe ‘World No Tobacco Day’, he said teachers must strive to promote healthy lifestyles, positive attitudes, values and behaviour in and out of the classroom. As such, the ministry has adopted a zero tolerance policy to cigarette smoking, the use of drugs and alcohol and the carrying of weapons to school.

According to a press release Baksh said efforts are being made to strengthen the reporting system within schools so that these negative behaviours could be promptly arrested. He said concerted efforts will be made to bring private schools on board this campaign to stop smoking in their immediate school environs.

The minister also lauded the partnership between the education and health ministries to tackle this and other issues. He underscored the importance of Health and Family Life Education in the school curriculum and disclosed that the programme will be piloted in 30 schools from September.

Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy who also addressed the audience said, tobacco is the worst serial killer known to man. He said millions of persons have died from tobacco-related complications and about one billion people will die in the 21st century if they do not quit using the drug. Tobacco use often leads to diseases that affect the heart and lung and smokers are at risk for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and cancer of the lung, larynx, mouth and pancreas.  “We have to say enough is enough. All smokers stop now, and all non-smokers do not start. We have to be agents of change,” Ramsammy charged.

During the programme the CPCE said it remains committed to maintaining a smoke free campus. It also launched a body mass index campaign.