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21st September 2024, New Delhi
In a bold move aimed at curbing tobacco use among the youth, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have jointly issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories, calling for the robust implementation of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines. This advisory is a part of a larger effort under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, to protect children and adolescents from the harmful effects of tobacco.
The advisory, addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, has been signed by the Secretaries of the Department of School Education, Department of Higher Education, and Department of Health & Family Welfare. It draws attention to alarming statistics, such as the findings of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019, which revealed that 8.5% of school students aged 13 to 15 in India consume tobacco. The report also highlighted that every day, over 5,500 children in India begin using tobacco, with 55% of lifelong users initiating the habit before turning 20.
Collaborative Efforts to Protect Youth
The advisory underscores the urgent need for collective action among all stakeholders—educational institutions, health authorities, and civil society—to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco addiction. The aim is to foster awareness of tobacco’s harmful effects and promote tobacco control measures across educational institutions.
As part of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines. These guidelines aim to safeguard minors and youth from tobacco and electronic cigarette use. Complementing this initiative, the Department of School Education and Literacy developed the ToFEI Implementation Manual, which was launched on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2024, in collaboration with the Socio-Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS).
The manual outlines comprehensive objectives aimed at protecting students, teachers, and staff from tobacco-related health risks, which include:
- Raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use.
- Promoting awareness about available avenues for tobacco cessation.
- Ensuring that all educational institutions become tobacco-free environments.
- Strengthening enforcement of legal provisions regarding the sale and use of tobacco products, especially near educational institutions.
Reinforcing Anti-Tobacco Measures in Schools and Colleges
The advisory urges all educational institutions—schools, colleges, and universities across both public and private sectors—to adopt the ToFEI manual as a key resource for establishing a tobacco-free environment. In particular, institutions are encouraged to enforce legal measures prohibiting the sale of tobacco products in proximity to educational premises, and to promote healthy, tobacco-free campuses.
A Nationwide Effort
This joint advisory represents a united effort by the Government of India to protect future generations from the long-term health consequences of tobacco addiction. By encouraging states and Union Territories to implement these guidelines rigorously, the Ministries aim to reduce tobacco consumption among children and adolescents, preventing them from becoming lifelong users or turning to other addictive substances.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare are committed to working closely with state and district-level officials to ensure the effective implementation of these measures, safeguarding the health and well-being of students across the country. Through this comprehensive approach, the government seeks to foster a tobacco-free culture within India’s educational institutions, securing a healthier future for the nation’s youth.
URL to access the Implementation Manual for ToFEI Manual: https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/im_tofel.pdf
URL to access the ToFEI Guidelines:
https://ntcp.mohfw.gov.in/assets/document/TEFI-Guidelines.pdf
