The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is intensifying efforts to curb tobacco consumption among the youth through stringent legal provisions and awareness campaigns. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, outlined the government’s ongoing initiatives to safeguard young individuals from the harmful effects of tobacco.

Under Section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, the sale of tobacco products to individuals below 18 years of age is strictly prohibited. Additionally, the law bans the sale of tobacco within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions to prevent easy access for students. Strengthening this initiative, the Ministry introduced revised Guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) in 2019, promoting tobacco-free campuses and stricter enforcement mechanisms.

Since 2023, the government has been conducting the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign, a nationwide initiative designed to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco at the grassroots level. Furthering its commitment to youth health, the government enacted the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, which bans the production, import, sale, distribution, and advertisement of e-cigarettes and similar vaping devices that have been linked to potential nicotine addiction among young people.

In coordination with the Ministry of Education, the Department of School Education & Literacy has introduced a ToFEI Manual, which outlines nine anti-tobacco measures for educational institutions. The implementation of these measures is overseen by State and Union Territory nodal officers to ensure compliance.

The government has also reinforced legal deterrents against tobacco use among minors through the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, which prohibits and penalizes the provision of intoxicating substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and narcotic drugs, to individuals under 18 years of age—except under a doctor's prescription.

With these multi-pronged strategies, the government continues to take strong steps in preventing youth tobacco consumption, promoting healthier lifestyles, and safeguarding the next generation from addiction and health risks.