Centre Launches Nationwide Drive to Make Educational Institutions Tobacco-Free

In a major public health and education initiative, the Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide enforcement drive aimed at making educational institutions tobacco and substance-free zones. This move comes as part of efforts to protect the country’s youth from the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drug abuse, with active participation expected from both educational and law enforcement authorities.

Why in News?

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) has issued a strong directive to States and Union Territories (UTs) to strictly enforce tobacco-free guidelines around educational institutions. This follows the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) held on May 15, 2025, which emphasized the urgent need to shield young students from substance abuse.

Background and Context

• India has a significant youth population, with a large number under the age of 29.
• According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2), 2019, 8.5% of students aged 13–15 use tobacco.
• Over 5,500 children in India start using tobacco every day.
• Tobacco often acts as a gateway to other more dangerous substances.

Key Guidelines under the ToFEI Initiative

The Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines include the following nine essential activities,

• Display of ‘Tobacco-Free’ signage inside and outside the premises.
• No signs of tobacco use on campus.
• Posters/materials on the harmful effects of tobacco.
• Conducting tobacco-control activities every 6 months.
• Nomination of Tobacco Monitors in schools.
• Inclusion of tobacco-free policy in the school code of conduct.
• Marking a yellow line 100 yards around the school to indicate tobacco-free zone.
• Ensuring no tobacco shops/vendors operate within the 100-yard perimeter.

Immediate Action Points

Special focus on,

• Marking the yellow line around institutions.
• Shutting down tobacco sales within 100 yards.
• These require local authority support and enforcement.

Month-Long Enforcement Drive

Duration: May 31 (World No Tobacco Day) to June 26 (International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking).

Enforcement of Section 6(b) of COTPA, 2003,

• Sale of tobacco within 100 yards of schools/colleges.
• Sale of tobacco to/by minors.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Active roles for,

• School Management Committees (SMCs)
• Parents and Teachers
• Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to report violations without fear.
• Awareness campaign via ‘World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz–2025’ on MyGov (live from May 22 to July 21).