Don’t participate in ITC group’s olympiad: Government

According to officials, it is a violation of Section 5 of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 and the G.O. (Ms.) No. 242 of TN School Education Department that states, “No educational institution is permitted to participate through its students or its faculties in the events/ sponsorship/ gift/ prizes/ scholarship or any other activities that promote any tobacco company either through the use of (tobacco) company or brand name, emblem, trademark, logo, or trade insignia or any other distinctive features connected with its tobacco or non-tobacco products or services.” 

The release stated that since ITC was the largest producer of cigarettes in India and their interventions in schools through their Classmate brand is a violation of Section 5 of COTPA.