Kerala Is Banning Lipsticks From Schools To Protect Kids From Cancer — Will Rest Of India Follow? | Kochi News
Last Updated:
Children in Kerala are bringing lipsticks to school — and applying them in class. Now the state wants campuses nationwide to go cosmetic-free amid a child cancer surge.
Schools that complete awareness sessions conducted by medical experts will be officially declared lipstick-free campuses.
If your child goes to school in Kerala with a lipstick tucked in their bag, it may be time for a serious conversation. The Child Welfare Committee in Kollam has launched a campaign to keep cosmetics out of schools entirely — and the health reasons behind it are alarming.
According to Mathrubhumi, the campaign follows warnings from the Health Department that toxic heavy metals commonly found in beauty products — including mercury and cadmium — can accumulate in children’s bodies and damage vital internal organs. Because children have thinner, more sensitive skin than adults, they absorb chemical substances at a much faster rate, making them significantly more vulnerable than adult users of the same products.
Why Are Schools Sounding The Alarm Now?
The trigger was a study by the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, which flagged a recent surge in bowel cancer cases among children across the Kollam, Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts.
Teachers had also observed a growing trend of students bringing lipsticks and makeup to school and applying them during class breaks. The campaign was officially launched at Mayyanad Higher Secondary School in Kollam and inaugurated by poet Kureepuzha Sreekumar.
What Can Cosmetics Actually Do To A Child’s Body?
The risks go well beyond skin reactions. Overexposure to the heavy metals found in everyday products — lipsticks, eyeliners, eyeshadows, blushers and face creams — can trigger severe allergies, hormonal imbalances and developmental issues, in addition to raising the risk of cancer.
Last year, the State Drugs Control Department seized lipsticks and face creams found to contain mercury levels well above permissible limits. Many of these products, Mathrubhumi reports, are sold at shops located close to school premises.
What Does ‘Lipstick-Free Campus’ Mean For Your Child’s School?
Schools that complete awareness sessions conducted by medical experts will be officially declared lipstick-free campuses. The programme will then extend to parents through dedicated awareness classes.
The CWC also plans to take these workshops to residents’ associations, Kudumbashree self-help groups and community organisations.
D Shine Dev, secretary of the Kollam District Child Welfare Committee, said the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has already submitted a report recommending inspections of shops near schools and pushing for a nationwide rollout of the campaign.
About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, …Read More
Kollam, India, India
Read More