Ministry of Education Initiates Nationwide Campaign to Ensure Educational Institutions are Tobacco and Substance-Free

In a significant move aimed at safeguarding students and young people from the detrimental impacts of tobacco and substance misuse, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education has made a compelling appeal to all States and Union Territories (UTs) to rigorously apply regulations and guidelines that ensure the zones surrounding educational institutions remain free from tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

An all-India enforcement initiative, announced by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, follows the 8th meeting of the Apex Committee of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) that took place on May 15, 2025. This senior meeting, led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, emphasized the pressing necessity to protect young individuals from toxic substances and urged for collaborative actions between educational and law enforcement agencies.

India possesses one of the youngest demographics globally, with many of its citizens being under 29 years old. This young demographic signifies a vital asset for the nation’s future, and safeguarding them — which constitutes a significant demographic advantage — is essential for developing a Viksit Bharat.

Research shows that the use of tobacco among young people is growing quickly, resulting in experimentation with other types of substance abuse on school or college grounds. The 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2) indicated that 8.5% of Indian students between the ages of 13 and 15 were using tobacco in various forms. What’s even more concerning is that more than 5,500 children in India begin using tobacco each day.

Tobacco consumption frequently serves as a pathway to more harmful drugs. The majority of adult users start during their teenage years, and numerous individuals can purchase these items effortlessly from stores close to schools, in spite of current regulations.

To tackle this increasing danger, the Ministry of Education is actively enforcing the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines. It offers a systematic framework to ensure that schools and colleges are entirely free from tobacco consumption and commerce. DoSEL initiated the rollout of the ToFEI Implementation Manual on May 31, 2024. Its goal is to help schools comply with the ToFEI guidelines, thus fostering a healthier, tobacco-free atmosphere for students. The guide enables all involved parties to implement and uphold rules that safeguard students against the risks of tobacco.

The Ministry has highlighted the importance of School Management Committees (SMCs), educators, and parents in aiding this initiative. By raising awareness and documenting breaches, communities can assist in establishing secure environments for students to develop and thrive.

To inform students, educators, and the wider community about the dangers of tobacco in an enjoyable way, the Ministry has concurrently introduced the ‘World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz-2025’ on the MyGov platform (https://quiz.mygov.in). The quiz will be active from May 22, 2025, to July 21, 2025. It is a move toward establishing robust societal standards against tobacco consumption by equipping the youth with awareness about the risks associated with tobacco.