DU students say no to tobacco

Delhi University officials and students were in the full attendance in the march against smoking on the eve of "World Anti Tobacco Day," reports Pragya Rashmi.

Following the initiative taken by Delhi University officials and students to make DU a no-smoking zone early this year, a protest march against tobacco was held today, on the eve of "World Anti Tobacco Day". The protest march was a joint effort of world lung foundation and Delhi University.

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"College going students think smoking is a status symbol but we want to tell them that it brings nothing but destruction and it is high time so we should take a call on it," says Amrita Bahari, the president of DUSU.

The march started from Kranti Chowk covering Panchkuiyan road, Canaught Place, and Kamla Nagar market.

"We wanted the market association to come forward for the issue so we decided to cover the Kamla Nagar market," says Amrita.

Students were in a full attendance, as a bigger lot thinks that smoking is out of fashion. "Every student supports this idea as we strongly feel about the issue. DU should be a smoke free place and through this march we are carrying on our anti smoke campaign," says Lalit, student, who took part in the march.

Delhi University was declared a no- smoking zone on February 14 this year. A first time offender is fined Rs 200 and for the second timers the fine is Rs 500.

Apart from hundreds of college students, Delhi police and DUSU officials joined hands for the cause by participating in the march. "We won't stop here. We will be raising the issue through skits, play and workshops once the classes start this July," says a convinced Amrita Bahari.