A Nationwide Push for Safer, Tobacco-Free Schools

To reduce tobacco consumption among youth, the Education and Health Ministry has called for the strict implementation of tobacco-free rules in educational institutions.

The Education and Health Ministry has urged states to enforce tobacco-free guidelines in schools to address tobacco use among youth. This initiative seeks to promote healthier environments in educational institutions and reduce tobacco consumption ().

The Secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have jointly issued an advisory to Chief Secretaries of states "for the rigorous implementation of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) manual, in line with the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003" in educational institutions.

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This joint advisory underscores the alarming effects of tobacco consumption, particularly on children and adolescents.

It draws attention to the findings of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019, which revealed that 8.5 percent of school students aged 13 to 15 in India consume tobacco in various forms. Worryingly, more than 5,500 children in India have begun using tobacco every day.

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Moreover, 55 percent of lifelong tobacco users initiated the habit before the age of 20, with many adolescents turning to other addictive substances as a result.

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The advisory emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders to safeguard young people from the dangers of tobacco addiction.

It aims to protect future generations by raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use. Under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the Health Ministry released the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines for safeguarding minors and youth from tobacco and electronic cigarette use.

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Further, the Department of School Education and Literacy has developed and launched the ToFEI Implementation Manual on World No Tobacco Day in collaboration with the Socio-Economic and Educational Development Society.

The Department issued the manual on May 31 to all states/UTs for compliance. The ToFEI manual serves as a key resource for educational institutions to implement these anti-tobacco measures effectively.

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The manual majorly outlines more awareness about the harmful effects and long-term health impact of tobacco use; and awareness about various avenues available for tobacco cessation.

It also calls for a healthy and tobacco-free environment in educational institutions and for all educational institutions to become tobacco-free.

Reference:

Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Issue Joint Advisory to States/UTs for Effective Implementation of Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions Guidelines and Manual - (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2057347)

Source-IANS