16 institutions receive tobacco-free certification in Malappuram’s Vazhayoor panchayat
Malappuram, July 26: In a significant step towards promoting public health and awareness among students, all educational institutions in the Vazhayoor grama panchayat of Malappuram district have been officially declared tobacco-free.
The declaration was made by T.V. Ibrahim, MLA, at a formal event held on Friday (July 25) at the P.M.S.A.P.T. Higher Secondary School in Kakkovu. The initiative is part of a broader mission to create safe, healthy, and tobacco-free campuses across the region.
16 Institutions Get Certified
During the event, tobacco-free certificates were distributed to 16 educational institutions within the panchayat. The recognition signifies that these schools and colleges have complied with health department guidelines to ensure a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment for students and staff.
Health Department Plays Key Role
Firos Khan, Junior Administrative Medical Officer at the District Medical Office, delivered a detailed presentation on the harms of tobacco and the importance of maintaining tobacco-free campuses.
The function was presided over by T.P. Vasudevan, president of Vazhayoor panchayat. Also in attendance were:
- Mini Kolothodi, Vice President of the panchayat
- Balakrishnan, Chairperson of the Health Standing Committee
- Suresh Kumar and Shahul Hameed, Technical Assistants from the Health Department
- Santhosh, Block Medical Officer
- Krishnan Parappurath, Health Supervisor
- Dr. Sharon, Medical Officer at Vazhayoor
Each speaker emphasized the dangers of tobacco consumption, particularly among youth, and praised the educational institutions for adopting proactive measures to ensure student well-being.
MLA T.V. Ibrahim: “A Model for Others to Follow”
MLA T.V. Ibrahim lauded the panchayat’s efforts and described the declaration as a model for other local bodies in Kerala and beyond.
“We are sending a strong message — our children deserve a healthy, tobacco-free environment. I hope this initiative will inspire other panchayats to follow suit,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for continued awareness campaigns and strict monitoring, especially near school zones, to prevent the sale and consumption of tobacco products.
Community-Led Public Health Success
The event marks a successful collaboration between local government, health authorities, and educational institutions. Officials stressed the importance of ongoing education and enforcement to ensure the goals of the initiative are met in the long run.
By achieving 100% tobacco-free status in schools, Vazhayoor grama panchayat has become one of the leading examples of health-first local governance in Kerala.