KARACHI, March 28: The government-run colleges, higher secondary schools and technical education institutions have been declared as no-smoking zones.

The Executive District Officer Higher Education, CDGK, through a circular has informed the heads of the educational institutions in question that storage, sale, distribution and use of drugs, cigarettes, gutka, supari or any other material or substance, considered injurious and harmful to health of individuals, have been prohibited in the government colleges and technical education institutions, with immediate effect.

A source in the department said that the smoking in public places was restricted under a federal government law but was never implemented properly. The problem of smoking both at private and government educational institutions has been a disturbing factor, said a senior teacher.

Talking to Dawn, the EDO Prof Mohammad Rais Alvi said that principals had been asked to ensure the ban on smoking and sale of tobacco and other hazardous substance in any form within the their respective premises and in the vicinity of the institutions. The measure would help ensure non-polluted environment both for teachers and students and on the other hand the sanctity of educational institutions and a sense of care for others would also emerge in the institutions in question.

The government circular said that sale and use of drugs, cigarettes, gutka, supari, or other such substances within the premises and outside area of 50 meter from the college, technical institutions was prohibited and vendors should not be allowed to operate in the said areas.

According to the circular this was the responsibility of the principals/heads of institutions to completely destroy or remove the prohibited items in question from stalls, canteens and shops within the premises in question.