Centre Launches Nationwide Drive To Make Schools And Colleges Tobacco & Substance-Free From May 31 To June 16

In a decisive push to protect India’s youth from the dangers of tobacco and substance abuse, the Union Ministry of Education on Friday launched a nationwide enforcement drive from May 31 to June 16, aimed at making all educational institutions and their surroundings completely tobacco and substance-free. 

The initiative, announced by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), urges States and Union Territories (UTs) to strictly implement existing rules and guidelines prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs around schools and colleges.

The drive follows the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), held on May 15 and chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting highlighted the rising threat of substance use among young people and called for tighter coordination between education departments and local law enforcement

India's youth population, one of the largest in the world, is at particular risk. According to the ministry, the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2), 2019, revealed that 8.5% of Indian students aged 13 to 15 use tobacco in some form. Even more concerning is the statistic that over 5,500 Indian children take up tobacco use each day. Experts warn that tobacco often serves as a gateway to other forms of substance abuse, with many users beginning their habits in adolescence. Despite legal restrictions, access to tobacco remains worryingly easy near educational institutions.

In response, the Ministry of Education has stepped up the implementation of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines, first supported with an implementation manual launched on May 31 last year.

The guidelines outline a nine-point plan that all schools and colleges are expected to follow, including the display of anti-tobacco signage, regular awareness activities, and the appointment of dedicated tobacco monitors. Two key actions—marking a 100-yard tobacco-free zone with a yellow line around campuses and ensuring that no shops sell tobacco products within that area—require immediate support from local authorities. These steps also fall in line with a Ministry of Home Affairs advisory issued in November 2024.

During the two-week drive, States and UTs have been asked to enforce Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which bans the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions and prohibits the sale of tobacco to or by minors. The Ministry has also recommended that schools and colleges be provided with clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to report violations to local police confidently and safely.

The Ministry has called on School Management Committees, teachers, and parents to be vigilant and proactive in supporting the initiative. To raise awareness in an interactive way, the ministry has also launched the ‘World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz-2025’ on the MyGov platform, which will remain open from May 22 to July 21.