New Delhi [India], May 23: The Ministry of Education has initiated a statewide enforcement campaign to guarantee that all Indian educational campuses are smoke- and drug-free to stem the growing effects of tobacco and substance misuse among young people.
Following the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), which the Ministry of Home Affairs sponsored, this action was taken under the direction of Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL). The campaign will start on May 31, 2025, World No Tobacco Day, and run through June 26, 2025, in honor of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The Rationale: Protecting India’s Youth
With over 600 million people under 29, India’s young constitute a significant national resource. But this group is becoming more vulnerable. The 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2) found that 8.5% of Indian teenagers aged 13 to 15 smoke. More worrisome is the fact that over 5,500 Indian children start smoking tobacco daily. Tobacco is frequently a gateway to more dangerous narcotics, according to experts. Students continue to find tobacco easily accessible close to school grounds despite legislative prohibitions.
The Government’s Response: ToFEI Guidelines and Enforcement
To combat this, the Ministry upholds the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines, which were initially established in May 2024. These rules offer a precise framework for assisting educational institutions in creating safe and healthy learning environments.
Under the ToFEI framework, institutions are required to implement nine key actions, including:
- Display of ‘Tobacco Free Area’ Signage Inside the Premises
- Display of ‘Tobacco Free Educational Institution’ Signage at the Entrance/Boundary
- No Evidence of Tobacco Use in the Premises
- Display of Awareness Materials on Harms of Tobacco
- At Least One Tobacco Control Activity Every Six Months
- Nomination of Tobacco Monitors
- Inclusion of Tobacco-Free Policy in School Code of Conduct
- Marking a yellow line 100 yards around educational institutions to designate a tobacco-free zone
- Ensuring no shops or vendors sell tobacco products within that 100-yard zone
The Ministry urges all States and Union Territories to firmly enforce these rules and guarantee prompt adherence, especially for actions 8 and 9, which demand cooperation with law enforcement.
Section 6(b) of COTPA: Legal Muscle Behind the Campaign
The enforcement drive is grounded in Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which bans:
- The sale of tobacco within 100 yards of educational institutions
- The sale of tobacco to or by minors
It is recommended that states create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that allow school employees to report infractions to law enforcement immediately without worrying about reprisals.
Community Engagement Is Critical
The Ministry recognises that sustainable change requires grassroots support. It is mobilising:
- School Management Committees (SMCs)
- Parents and Teachers
- Local education officers
These parties working together will be essential in catching offenders and raising awareness of tobacco’s harmful effects.
Education Through Participation: Awareness Quiz 2025
The Ministry has created the “World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz-2025“ on the MyGov platform to raise further awareness. The quiz, available from May 22 to July 21, 2025, is an entertaining and engaging way to educate the public, parents, and pupils.
What’s at Stake
By enforcing these measures, the Ministry hopes to:
- Reduce early tobacco initiation
- Curb substance abuse in academic settings
- Build momentum for a healthier, addiction-free Viksit Bharat
Conclusion
Thanks to coordinated enforcement efforts, robust community support, and educational outreach initiatives, India is making great strides in producing a generation free from tobacco use. The Ministry of Education calls on all residents to help protect the country’s most precious resource, its young.
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