New Delhi: As the JNU administration is yet to take any concrete step to check smoking, students have now taken upon themselves the responsibility of ensuring that the campus becomes a no-smoking zone.

A group of students have come together and formed a platform to sensitise students against smoking in public. The group, Breath of Life , has planned a series of demonstrations inside the campus to spread the message.

"We have vowed to save lives of innocent passive smokers," said Vijay Pal, convener of the group.

"I had earlier written to JNU administration to take tobacco free initiatives on the campus in the context of this year s slogan Tobacco Free Youth by WHO. But I did not receive any response till now," he said.

Even after the government banned smoking at public places, the trend still continues in the campus. It is evident in TV rooms, canteens and dhabas , he said.

He cited the India Global Health Professional Student Survey (2006), which said about 73 per cent students are exposed to second hand smoke in public places.

"We are getting good feedback from students. They are sharing their concerns in this regard with us," said Vineet Kumar, the co-convener and a MSc student.

The group has planned a demonstration, Breath of Life Celebration on campus, where they will symbolically dump tobacco products in a pit near Ganga Dhaba.

"This is just a start. We will take the matter to JNU administration again," he said.
Source : PTI