Education Ministry Launches Nationwide Drive for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd May: In a significant move to safeguard students and youth from the detrimental effects of tobacco and substance abuse, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education has initiated a nationwide enforcement drive. All States and Union Territories (UTs) have received a strong directive to strictly enforce rules and guidelines aimed at creating tobacco, alcohol, and drug-free zones around educational institutions.

This comprehensive enforcement drive, spearheaded by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, follows the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) held on May 15, 2025. Chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, this high-level meeting underscored the urgent need to protect young minds and called for coordinated efforts between education and law enforcement departments.

Why This Is Important:

India boasts one of the world’s youngest populations, with a vast number of citizens below the age of 29. Protecting this demographic, a crucial strength for building a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), is paramount. Studies, including the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2), 2019, reveal an alarming trend: 8.5% of Indian students aged 13-15 use tobacco in some form, with over 5,500 children initiating tobacco use daily. Tobacco often serves as a gateway to more dangerous substances, with many adult users starting in adolescence and easily acquiring products from shops near schools despite existing laws.

The Government’s Response:

To counter this growing threat, the Ministry of Education is actively implementing the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines. These guidelines provide a structured framework for making schools and colleges entirely free from tobacco use and sale. DoSEL launched the implementation Manual of ToFEI on May 31, 2024, to assist educational institutions in adhering to these guidelines, fostering a healthier environment for students. The manual empowers all stakeholders to adopt and enforce protective measures.

The ToFEI guidelines mandate nine key activities for schools and colleges to maintain tobacco-free campuses:

1. Display of ‘Tobacco Free Area’ Signage Inside the Premises
2. Display of ‘Tobacco Free Educational Institution’ Signage at the Entrance/Boundary
3. No Evidence of Tobacco Use in the Premises
4. Display of Awareness Materials on Harms of Tobacco
5. At Least One Tobacco Control Activity Every Six Months
6. Nomination of Tobacco Monitors
7. Inclusion of Tobacco-Free Policy in School Code of Conduct
8. Marking a yellow line 100 yards around educational institutions to designate a tobacco-free zone
9. Ensuring no shops or vendors sell tobacco products within that 100-yard zone

Among these, Activities 8 and 9 particularly require immediate support from local authorities. The Ministry has urged education authorities and law enforcement agencies to step up enforcement, echoing an advisory from the Ministry of Home Affairs issued in November 2024 for strict implementation of these provisions.

A Month-Long Enforcement Drive:

Beginning May 31, 2025 – World No Tobacco Day – and continuing until June 26, 2025 – International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – States and UTs are enjoined to launch a month-long enforcement drive. This initiative aims to rigorously enforce Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which prohibits:

• The sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.
• The sale of tobacco to or by minors.

States are also encouraged to develop a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) allowing school and college staff to report violations directly and without fear to local police.

Community Involvement and Awareness Is Key:

The Ministry emphasizes the crucial role of School Management Committees (SMCs), teachers, and parents in this mission. By spreading awareness and reporting violations, communities can actively contribute to creating safe learning environments for students.

To further educate students, teachers, and the general public on the harmful effects of tobacco in an engaging manner, the Ministry has simultaneously launched the ‘World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz-2025’ on the MyGov platform (https://quiz.mygov.in). The quiz is live from May 22, 2025, to July 21, 2025, aiming to empower youth with knowledge about tobacco dangers and shape strong societal norms against its use.

All citizens are urged to support this vital campaign. The Ministry believes that with consistent efforts and public backing, India can successfully make its schools and colleges safe, healthy, and free from the influence of harmful substances. States and Union Territories have been requested to ensure active participation of enforcement agencies during this period to achieve safer and healthier educational campuses.