Government's Joint Push for Tobacco-Free Schools Urges States to Implement Manual

The Union education and health ministries jointly issued an advisory urging states to implement the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution manual. Highlighting the alarming statistics from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, the advisory stresses the need for collaborative efforts to protect children and adolescents from tobacco addiction. The manual is a key resource for educational institutions.

The Union education and health ministries have issued a joint advisory, urging all states and Union territories to rigorously implement the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) manual.

The advisory highlights the alarming effects of tobacco consumption among children and adolescents. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019, 8.5% of school students aged 13 to 15 in India consume tobacco in various forms. Additionally, over 5,500 children initiate tobacco use daily.

The manual serves as a crucial resource for educational institutions, aiming to raise awareness and promote tobacco control measures. The ongoing National Tobacco Control Programme features these guidelines, developed collaboratively with various stakeholders, to safeguard youth from tobacco addiction.

(With inputs from agencies.)