Prataprao Jadhav Launches Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0

The Ministry urged stakeholders to stay engaged through the campaign's social media channels and help amplify the message, driving nationwide participation to create a tobacco-free future.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, launched the second edition of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 today at a hybrid event held at Lady Hardinge Medical College. He also virtually inaugurated Tobacco Cessation Centres in medical institutions across India, emphasizing the campaign's mission to safeguard the health and well-being of young people from the dangers of tobacco use.

Shri Jadhav stressed that 13 lakh lives are lost annually in India due to tobacco-related diseases, cautioning that tobacco has become a fashion trend among youth, but it carries life-threatening risks like cancer. He motivated young people to prioritize their health, linking personal and national development to healthy, tobacco-free youth.

Key Areas of Focus for the 60-Day Campaign:Raising awareness about tobacco's dangers, especially among youth and rural populations.

Improving compliance with Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines.

Strengthening enforcement of tobacco control laws, including COTPA 2003 and PECA 2019.

Promoting Tobacco-Free Villages, encouraging communities to work together for healthier environments.

Boosting social media outreach to engage youth on digital platforms, highlighting the benefits of quitting tobacco.

Highlights of the Event:Participants took the 'Say No to Tobacco' pledge to stay tobacco-free.

Celebrities, influencers, and sportspersons like Aparshakti Khurana, Manu Bhaker, and Ankit Baiyanpuria addressed the gathering, sharing powerful messages.

The WHO launched an educational video aimed at sensitizing school children to the harmful effects of tobacco.

Three critical guidelines were introduced, including the Health Workers Guide, SOPs for Tobacco-Free Villages, and the Guidelines for Law Enforcers.

A testimonial video by cancer survivors from Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) was shown, sharing their stories of battling cancer due to tobacco use.

A bike rally was flagged off, led by the Harley Owners Group and Delhi Bikers Breakfast Run, to spread awareness about the campaign.

The Ministry urged stakeholders to stay engaged through the campaign's social media channels and help amplify the message, driving nationwide participation to create a tobacco-free future.