Government pushes for tobacco-free educational institutions

In a concerted effort to combat tobacco use among young people, the Union Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have jointly issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories, urging the strict implementation of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) manual. The advisory, addressed to Chief Secretaries, calls for full compliance with the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, within educational institutions. It was signed by the Secretaries of the Department of School Education, Higher Education, and Health and Family Welfare, and highlights the growing concern over tobacco consumption, particularly among children and adolescents. This move comes in response to alarming data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019, which revealed that 8.5% of school students aged 13 to 15 in India use tobacco in various forms. Of even greater concern, over 5,500 children in India start using tobacco daily. It is estimated that 55 percent of smokers worldwide start before the age of 20, and many turn to other addictive substances over the years. Government advice emphasizes the need for collaboration between all stakeholders to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco use. The aim is to raise awareness of the harmful effects of smoking and to implement smoking cessation measures in schools and universities. This project is part of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), which aims to protect children and youth from using tobacco and electronic cigarettes. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare published Guidelines for Drug-Free Education Facilities (ToFEI) to support this initiative. On World No Tobacco Day (31st May 2024), the Department of School Education and Literacy launched the ToFEI Implementation Manual in partnership with the Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS). This manual, sent to all States and Union Territories, is intended to guide educational institutions in implementing anti-tobacco measures effectively. The manual focuses on increasing awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco, promoting tobacco cessation, creating a healthy, tobacco-free environment, and enforcing laws prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco, especially near schools. Schools, colleges, and universities are encouraged to adopt the ToFEI manual as a comprehensive resource to protect the health of students. The Ministries of Education and Health and Family Welfare will work closely with state and district officials to ensure the effective implementation of these measures, with the aim of reducing tobacco use among youth and preventing future generations from becoming addicted.