The Ministry of Education has announced a nationwide enforcement campaign to eliminate tobacco and substance use around educational institutions, reinforcing its commitment to protecting students from harmful addictions. The initiative, led by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), follows recommendations from the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) held on May 15, 2025, where officials called for heightened action against tobacco and drug availability near schools and colleges.
India’s youth population is among the largest in the world, forming a crucial demographic strength for the country’s future. However, rising tobacco consumption among students has raised concerns over escalating substance abuse. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2, 2019) reported that 8.5 percent of Indian students aged 13-15 use tobacco, and an alarming 5,500 children start smoking daily despite existing regulations.
To combat this growing issue, the Ministry has intensified the implementation of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines, which were introduced in May 2024 as a structured framework to keep campuses free from tobacco products. The guidelines mandate nine essential actions, including displaying tobacco-free signage, conducting awareness campaigns, nominating monitors, enforcing strict policies, and maintaining clean premises free of tobacco-related waste.
Two key measures require immediate enforcement with support from local authorities:
- Marking a yellow line around educational institutions to designate a 100-yard tobacco-free zone.
- Banning tobacco sales within the 100-yard limit, ensuring that shops and vendors comply with Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
Starting May 31, 2025 (World No Tobacco Day) and running until June 26, 2025 (International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking), the Ministry has directed all States and Union Territories to launch a month-long enforcement drive to strengthen compliance. Educational authorities are encouraged to partner with local law enforcement, develop SOPs for reporting violations, and ensure swift action against offenders.
School Management Committees (SMCs), teachers, and parents are expected to play an active role in spreading awareness. To engage students, the Ministry has launched the World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz-2025 on MyGov, aiming to empower young individuals with knowledge about the dangers of tobacco. The quiz is open from May 22 to July 21, 2025, inviting participation from citizens to reinforce strong societal norms against tobacco use.
The Ministry has urged widespread public support for the initiative, emphasizing that collective action is essential to keeping campuses safe and fostering a healthy learning environment for India’s future generations.
