– Reshma Ravishanker
In a second such incident in less than a month, students in Bengaluru were caught carrying e-cigarettes to school. This was observed during a surprise bag inspection held at school, prompting the school authorities to confiscate the devices.
The incident took place at an all-girls school on St Marks Road. About seven students of classes VII, IX and X were caught carrying vape to school in their bags.
The principal of the school allegedly later made an announcement during the morning assembly session, warning other students against carrying such devices to school.
In a similar incident, students at a private school on Museum Road were also caught using e-cigarettes and later confronted with the use of it.
“The school principal announced in school that some students were caught carrying vape to school. Routine bag checks are conducted to see if students are carrying anything undesirable to school and this was discovered during one such screening. A group of girls have been held responsible,” said a source adding, “such routine checks are welcome as it will keep all illegal activities curbed. Less than a kilometer radius from the school, there are so many petty shops selling cigarettes as well. The government must have better curbs in place.”
EducationWorld contacted the principal of the school but in vain.
Government ban on e-cigarettes
Karnataka’s Department of Health and Family Welfare banned the use of e-cigarettes via an official circular in 2016. They said sale, manufacturing and distribution of e-cigarettes had been banned as they contained nicotine with propylene glycol as the main ingredient. Experts also advocated an active seizure and ban citing that the amount of nicotine was not regulated and could draw more children towards cigarette use in the future.
It may be noted that despite the ban on e-cigarettes and vaping products, Bengaluru police seized 5,850 e-cigarettes worth Rs 3 crore between February and June this year.
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