NewzVille Desk
Studies indicate that consumption of tobacco among the youth is rapidly increasing leading to experimenting with other forms of substance abuse within the school/college premises.
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2), 2019, revealed that 8.5% of Indian students aged 13–15 were using tobacco in some form. Even more alarming is the fact that over 5,500 children in India start using tobacco every single day.
Protecting students and youth from the harmful effects of tobacco and substance abuse, Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education has issued a strong call for action to all States and Union Territories (UTs) to strictly enforce rules and guidelines that keep areas around educational institutions free of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
Nationwide enforcement drive, issued by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, comes after the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) held on May 15, 2025.
A Month-Long Enforcement Drive
Starting May 31, 2025 — World No Tobacco Day — and continuing until June 26, 2025 — International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking — States and UTs are urged to launch a month-long enforcement drive 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
- The sale of tobacco to or by minors
States are also encouraged to develop a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that allows school and college staff to report violations directly and without fear to local police.
This high-level meeting, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighted the urgent need to safeguard young minds from harmful substances and called for coordinated efforts between education and law enforcement departments.
Following nine activities schools and colleges must carry out to keep campuses tobacco-free.
- Display of ‘Tobacco Free Area’ Signage Inside the Premises
- Display of ‘Tobacco Free Educational Institution’ Signage at the Entrance/Boundary
- No Evidence of Tobacco Use in the Premises
- Display of Awareness Materials on Harms of Tobacco
- At Least One Tobacco Control Activity Every Six Months
- Nomination of Tobacco Monitors
- Inclusion of Tobacco-Free Policy in School Code of Conduct
- Marking a yellow line 100 yards around educational institutions to designate a tobacco-free zone
- Ensuring no shops or vendors sell tobacco products within that 100-yard zone
