Marking World No Tobacco Day 2026, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava launched the pilot version of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Application, a digital initiative aimed at strengthening tobacco control measures across schools and colleges in India.
The launch took place at a national event organised under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi. On the occasion, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the collection of tobacco product samples, designed to strengthen regulatory compliance and quality assurance.
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A Digital Push for Tobacco-Free Campuses
The ToFEI Application has been developed to help educational institutions assess and monitor compliance with tobacco-free norms. The platform will facilitate self-assessment, reporting, awareness activities, implementation of tobacco-control signage, and enforcement of the ban on tobacco sales within 100 yards of educational institutions.
The application will initially be piloted in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya before being expanded nationwide.
Officials said the digital platform is expected to improve monitoring, accountability, and reporting mechanisms while helping educational institutions create healthier environments for students.
Protecting Youth from Nicotine Addiction
Addressing the gathering, Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the relevance of this year’s World No Tobacco Day theme, “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”
She noted that tobacco and nicotine products are increasingly marketed using attractive flavours, packaging, surrogate advertising, and social media promotion, often targeting young people.
Emphasising the need for awareness, she said young people must be equipped with the right information to resist the growing influence of tobacco and nicotine marketing tactics.
New SOP to Strengthen Enforcement
The Health Ministry also released a comprehensive SOP for Sample Collection of Tobacco Products to standardise procedures related to collection, storage, transportation, handling, and documentation.
The SOP aims to ensure consistency and reliability in testing while strengthening surveillance and regulatory enforcement.
Srivastava stressed that scientific sample collection and maintaining the integrity of testing procedures are critical for effective tobacco-control enforcement and regulatory action.
Over 2,000 Tobacco Cessation Centres Across India
Highlighting the government’s broader tobacco-control efforts, the Union Health Secretary said more than 2,000 Tobacco Cessation Centres have been established across district hospitals, medical colleges, dental institutions, AYUSH centres, NCD clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
She urged educational institutions and stakeholders to actively participate in the pilot phase of the ToFEI application and provide feedback to improve its effectiveness.
Tobacco Remains a Major Public Health Threat
The Health Secretary reiterated that tobacco use remains a leading contributor to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic respiratory disorders, and several other non-communicable diseases.
She commended the efforts of states, Union Territories, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, educational institutions, and enforcement agencies working towards tobacco control and called for continued collaboration to protect future generations.
Pledge for a Tobacco-Free India
As part of the observance, participants took a “No Tobacco Pledge” reaffirming their commitment to a tobacco-free India. The Ministry has also enabled an online pledge through the NTCP website to encourage wider participation.
The event also featured a Nukkad Natak performed by school students with support from HRIDAY, New Delhi, highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
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