With tobacco use causing nearly 1.35 million preventable deaths annually, India faces a significant public health challenge as the second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019 revealed that 8.5 percent of school students aged 13 to 15 consume tobacco in various forms, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention.

In response, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), has issued Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) Guidelines aimed at protecting minors and youth from tobacco use. These guidelines have been bolstered by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, which launched a “ToFEI Implementation Manual” on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2024. The manual is part of a broader strategy to ensure educational institutions across India become #TobaccoFreeAreas.

To promote compliance with the ToFEI guidelines, the Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy has issued a comprehensive advisory to all States and Union Territories. This advisory outlines several key activities for schools and surrounding areas, including the display of ‘Tobacco Free Area’ signage within school premises and at entrances, providing contact information for designated officials responsible for enforcement.

Educational institutions are required to ensure no evidence of tobacco use, such as cigarette butts, gutka pouches, or spitting spots, is present on school grounds. Posters and other informational materials on the dangers of tobacco must be prominently displayed within schools.

Schools are mandated to organize at least one tobacco control activity every six months. They must also appoint ‘Tobacco Monitors’ and provide their contact information on signage. The guidelines for no tobacco use are to be included in the educational institutions' code of conduct. Furthermore, a 100-yard tobacco-free buffer zone around schools must be enforced, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products within this area. Students and staff are encouraged to take an anti-tobacco pledge, as outlined in the ToFEI Implementation Manual.

The advisory also calls for the active involvement of civil society in spreading anti-tobacco messages. NGOs, resource persons, and community volunteers are encouraged to engage in activities such as street plays, video screenings, and educational talks to raise awareness about tobacco de-addiction. These efforts should be integrated into School Management Committee meetings, National Social Service initiatives, and the Vidyanjali-School Volunteer Initiative to ensure comprehensive outreach to students, teachers, parents, and school staff.

By implementing these measures, the Ministry of Education aims to foster a tobacco-free environment in educational institutions, thereby safeguarding the health of future generations and reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases in India.