Workshop For Strengthen Implementation of Laws for Protecting Minors and Youth from Tobacco Exposure

by

National Law University Odisha

On July 19th, 2024 (Friday) from 03:00 pm to 04:30 pm

National Law University of Odisha as a part of its Project on Tobacco Control Initiatives organized a national consultation to receive expert opinion for advancing effective tobacco control in India. The title of the consultation was ‘Workshop For Strengthen Implementation of Laws for Protecting Minors and Youth from Tobacco Exposure’ held on July 19^th, 2024 (Friday) from 03:00 pm to 04:30 pm.

The consultation was started with project introduction followed by brief overview about the project. In the first part of the session Prof. (Dr.) RanginPallav Tripathy, in his welcome address to principals and teachers, underscored the critical need to protect minors and youth from tobacco exposure. He highlighted the alarming statistics and detrimental effects of tobacco use among young people, calling for a concerted effort to create a tobacco-free environment in schools. He emphasized the importance of education and awareness programs, urging educators to be vigilant and proactive in preventing tobacco use and promoting healthy lifestyles among students.

 

Dr Rishika Khare shared her thoughts on Data on Tobacco Usage among youth In Odisha.In Odisha, data on tobacco usage among youth reveals concerning trends. Despite efforts to reduce tobacco consumption, a significant number of minors and young adults continue to engage in smoking and chewing tobacco. Accessibility, peer influence, and lack of awareness about the health risks contribute to this persistent issue. Addressing these challenges requires targeted educational campaigns, strict enforcement of regulations, and supportive interventions to encourage healthier lifestyles among the youth population in Odisha.

 

Dr. Nancy Satpathy emphasized the importance of adhering to the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines during her presentation. She highlighted the guidelines’ role in creating a safe and healthy environment for students by prohibiting tobacco use within school premises and promoting awareness among staff, students, and parents. Dr. Satpathy underscored the need for schools to implement robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with ToFEI guidelines, fostering a culture of wellness and responsibility among educational communities in Odisha.

Ms. Meenakshi Panda shed light on the implementation challenges faced by schools regarding the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines. She emphasized the importance of effectively enforcing these guidelines to create a tobacco-free environment in educational institutions across Odisha. Ms. Panda discussed various obstacles such as resistance from stakeholders, monitoring difficulties, and the need for continuous education and awareness among students and staff. She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between schools, government agencies, and community organizations to successfully implement and sustain ToFEI guidelines, ensuring a healthier future for students.

 

Mr. Sudha Ranjan Rath discussed Tobacco prevalence among minors and youth in Odisha remains a pressing concern, with high rates of smoking and chewing tobacco observed despite efforts to reduce consumption. Challenges include easy accessibility to tobacco products, peer influence, and inadequate awareness of health risks. Solutions require stringent enforcement of tobacco control laws, comprehensive educational programs in schools, and community-based interventions promoting tobacco cessation and healthier lifestyles.

In conclusion, the workshop on strengthening the implementation of laws to protect minors and youth from tobacco exposure was a pivotal step forward in addressing a critical public health issue. Participants collectively recognized the urgent need for enhanced enforcement of existing laws and regulations aimed at curbing tobacco use among young people. Moving forward, sustained collaboration between stakeholders, robust educational initiatives, and community engagement will be essential to create a tobacco-free environment that safeguards the health and future of our youth.

Photo Gallery

 

Photos can be accessed from here – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vyfLGaPyq5LCgKCuxnxLJTjTwK5P2g3B?usp=sharing

Greetings from the Centre for Banking and Insurance Laws!

We are excited to announce NLUO’s First Annual International Conference on ‘Finance, Economics, Banking and Insolvency’, scheduled for September 7-8, 2024. This conference is being conducted in collaboration with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India and National E-Governance Services Limited.

This conference aims to advance discourse on crucial topics within Banking, Finance, Economics, and Insolvency. We’re now pleased to share the poster and the detailed brochure, which provides comprehensive information about the event.

Key Points:

1. The conference is open to the entire NLUO student community.
2. NLUO students can participate at a discounted registration fee of INR 1000.
3. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with experts, present your research, and expand your knowledge in these vital fields.

Important Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: July 25, 2024
• Acceptance of Abstract Notification: August 5, 2024
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: August 25, 2024
• Conference Dates: September 7-8, 2024

We strongly encourage you to participate in this prestigious event happening at your own campus. The brochure contains detailed information about submission guidelines, conference themes, and more.

For any queries, please contact us at cbil@nluo.ac.in or ankeetag@nluo.ac.in. You can also reach out to our student coordinators:

• Mr. Akhil Raj: +91 97982 36033
• Ms. Ekta Gupta: +91 70085 68992
• Ms. Vvanshika Singhal: +91 97171 39561

Please find the conference brochure and the poster for your reference.
We look forward to your enthusiastic participation in this exciting academic event!

• Brochure
• Call for papers

“Call for Submissions || Article Writing Competition || LexTech NLUO.”

REPORT OF 5^th CLS CREDIT COURSE ON <‘Equality Jurisprudence and Legislative Drafting'<

Date: 1.03.2024-11.03.2024

Platform: Video Conferencing (Google Meet)

The Constitutional Law Society of National Law University Odisha successfully organized the 5th edition of its Certificate Course on the topic of ‘Equality Jurisprudence and Legislative Drafting’. The Course Instructors were Dr. Seema Singh, Professor, University of Delhi, Mr. Colin Gonsalves, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Ms. Ushashi Datta, LAMP fellow and lawyer, Hon. Tiffany Williams Brewer, Asst. Professor of Law, Howard University, Adv. Thulasi K. Raj and Vice-Chancellor of NLUO, Professor Ved Kumari.

The Course saw 92 registrations at ?500 registration fee, for 16 hours of lecture, spread into 8 sessions from 1.03.2024-11.03.2024. Participants had already been informed that for successful completion of course, 75% attendance and 50% marks had to be achieved in the final assessment exam.

The Course commenced on March 01, 2024 with an orientation session introducing the course structure, rules, evaluation methods, etc. This was followed by the first session instructed by Dr. Seema Singh on ‘Core Theories of Equality Jurisprudence’ covering topics like social contract theory, substantive and formal equality, intersectionality, and more. ?he delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the notions of equality and rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. She differentiated between formal and substantive equality, highlighting the need for special protection and positive discrimination to achieve true equality. Dr. Singh also discussed the challenges faced by the government in implementing provisions for reservations and the issue of reservation in promotions, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance and preventing reverse discrimination.

Sr Adv Colin Gonsalves covered ‘Indian perspectives of contemporary Equality Jurisprudence’ with a focus on recent Supreme Court decisions which included ADM Jabalpur, Kedarnath Singh and Sabarimala Cases. Hon. Tiffany Williams Brewer conducted a session on ‘Comparative Analysis of Intersectional Protection of Constitutional Rights’. She explored the foundational concept of equality and its significance within the realms of justice and fairness in society. Hon. Brewer highlighted aspects such as equal treatment, non-discrimination, equality of opportunity, and proportionality, emphasizing the necessity of special protection for vulnerable groups to achieve substantive equality.

Adv. Thulasi K. Raj, delivered insightful sessions on various aspects of equality jurisprudence. She delved into the concept of indirect discrimination, highlighting its salient features and the need to distinguish between wrongful acts and actual discrimination. Adv. Raj also provided a comprehensive overview of anti-discrimination laws in the United States, focusing on the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Voting Rights Act.

The course also featured sessions on legislative drafting by Ms. Ushashi Datta and Professor Ved Kumari wherein, they explored the interdisciplinary nature of legislative drafting, combining the art of crafting clear and persuasive language with the science of legal principles and structures. They discussed the three essentials of a good draft – who, why, and how – emphasizing the importance of legal knowledge, anticipation, and stakeholder consultation.