In a significant move to safeguard the health and well-being of India’s youth, the Ministry of Education has initiated a nationwide enforcement drive to make educational institutions tobacco and substance-free. The campaign, which begins on May 31, 2025, coincides with World No Tobacco Day and will continue until June 26, 2025, which marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This strategic timeline amplifies awareness on a national scale.

The enforcement drive stems from discussions during the eighth Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), held on May 15, 2025, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting, attended by top officials from various ministries, including Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), emphasized the urgent need to protect students from the rising threat of tobacco use and drug abuse.

India, home to one of the youngest populations in the world, faces an alarming trend where over 5,500 children begin using tobacco daily. This demographic vulnerability, if left unaddressed, could undermine national development. Recognising this, the Ministry of Education has rolled out the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines, designed to create a systematic approach toward promoting substance-free educational environments.

The ToFEI guidelines consist of nine key activities that schools and colleges are required to adopt. These include:

• Prominently displaying "Tobacco-Free Zone" signage at all institution entry points.

• Conducting regular tobacco and substance abuse awareness activities for students.

• Banning the sale of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions.

• Engaging school management committees, parents, and community leaders in creating vigilance and reporting mechanisms.

• Ensuring that staff and teachers serve as role models by refraining from using tobacco on or off campus.

Two immediate enforcement actions require collaboration with local civic and law enforcement authorities:

1. Marking the 100-yard tobacco-free zone around all educational institutions.

2. Preventing the sale of any tobacco-related products within this demarcated area.

This month-long enforcement drive will see inspections, awareness drives, and strict penalties for non-compliance. The Ministry is also encouraging states and union territories to develop clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to manage reporting and handling of violations effectively.

To engage students and the general public, the World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz 2025 has been launched on the MyGov platform. This interactive quiz is an informative and engaging tool to help participants learn about the harmful effects of tobacco, India’s legal frameworks against substance abuse, and preventive measures.

The Ministry is also relying on community participation as a vital component of this mission. Parents, school staff, NGOs, and local administrative bodies are being called upon to actively support the implementation of ToFEI guidelines. Community-based surveillance, whistle-blower incentives, and reward mechanisms are under consideration to strengthen monitoring at the grassroots level.

The report presented during the NCORD meeting noted that educational institutions are a critical point of intervention. Students are highly impressionable and early exposure to substances like tobacco often escalates to more dangerous addictions. A multi-pronged, proactive strategy that combines enforcement, education, and engagement is necessary to reverse these trends.

The Ministry's campaign aligns with its broader vision to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, in which a healthy and substance-free youth plays a pivotal role. This goal cannot be achieved unless comprehensive actions are taken to rid campuses of substances that hinder intellectual and physical growth.

The enforcement drive also draws support from existing central legislation, such as:

• The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which already prohibits sale of tobacco to minors and within 100 yards of educational institutions.

• Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which criminalizes providing intoxicants to minors.

• The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (Drug-Free India Campaign), launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which also provides synergy to the Education Ministry’s efforts.

Further, several state governments are being urged to adopt state-specific rules that complement the Ministry’s campaign. A few progressive states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have already enforced similar regulations successfully.

The Ministry has made it clear that this initiative is not a one-time event, but part of a long-term behavioural and policy change. Educational institutions will be required to submit quarterly reports on compliance, awareness activities, and steps taken to ensure a tobacco and substance-free environment.

Teachers and school principals have also been asked to play a proactive role by:

• Monitoring students’ behavioural patterns.

• Organising counseling sessions.

• Reporting suspicious behaviour to the appropriate authorities.

Additionally, schools are encouraged to collaborate with local health departments to hold regular de-addiction workshops, health screenings, and psychological counseling sessions.

One of the remarkable features of this campaign is its reliance on digital tools and gamified learning, such as the MyGov quiz. These initiatives are especially effective for today’s tech-savvy students and increase interactive engagement, thereby creating a more lasting impact.

In conclusion, this nationwide enforcement drive by the Ministry of Education represents a decisive step toward combating the growing menace of tobacco and substance abuse among Indian youth. With clear guidelines, community involvement, government support, and digital outreach, the campaign is set to become a model for educational reforms aimed at nurturing a healthy, empowered, and responsible generation.

As India continues its march toward becoming a developed nation, protecting its young minds from the influence of tobacco and substances is not just a necessity but a moral and constitutional duty.

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