Government Issues Joint Advisory for Implementing Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions Guidelines
New Delhi: In a significant move to combat tobacco use among youth, the Union Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have jointly issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories. This advisory, addressed to the Chief Secretaries, calls for the stringent implementation of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) manual, in accordance with the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, within educational institutions.
The joint advisory, signed by the Secretaries of the Department of School Education, the Department of Higher Education, and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, highlights the alarming impact of tobacco consumption, particularly on children and adolescents. The advisory refers to the findings of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019, which reported that 8.5% of school students aged 13 to 15 in India use tobacco in various forms. Additionally, it is of grave concern that over 5,500 children in India start using tobacco every day. Moreover, 55% of lifelong tobacco users begin the habit before the age of 20, with many adolescents turning to other addictive substances as a result.
The advisory stresses the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco addiction. The goal is to safeguard future generations by increasing awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use and promoting comprehensive tobacco control measures within educational institutions.
Under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines to protect minors and youth from tobacco and electronic cigarette use. Additionally, the Department of School Education and Literacy developed and launched the ToFEI Implementation Manual in collaboration with the Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS) on World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), celebrated on May 31, 2024. The manual was subsequently issued to all States and Union Territories for compliance.
The ToFEI manual serves as a crucial resource for educational institutions to effectively implement anti-tobacco measures. The manual outlines the following objectives:
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Increased Awareness: Educating students, teachers, staff, and officials in educational institutions about the harmful effects and long-term health impacts of tobacco use.
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Cessation Support: Providing information about various resources available for tobacco cessation.
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Creating a Tobacco-Free Environment: Ensuring that all educational institutions maintain a healthy and tobacco-free environment.
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Legal Compliance: Strengthening the enforcement of legal provisions related to the sale and use of tobacco products, especially in and around educational institutions, public places, and for minors.
The advisory urges all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities—whether public or private—to adopt the ToFEI manual and guidelines as a comprehensive framework to protect the health and well-being of students.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will work closely with state and district-level officials to ensure these measures are effectively implemented in educational institutions. Through coordinated efforts, the government aims to reduce tobacco use among children and prevent future generations from succumbing to addiction.
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