In a major step towards safeguarding students’ health and promoting a tobacco-free learning environment, the Government of India is set to launch the “Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 (TFYC 3.0)” on October 9, 2025. The initiative, jointly led by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, reinforces the national vision of creating a tobacco-free generation.
Tobacco use remains one of India’s leading public health concerns, claiming over 13 lakh lives every year. As per the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS 2019), about 8.4% of students aged 13–15 years currently use tobacco, with initiation often starting as early as age 10. Recognising this alarming trend, the government has adopted a comprehensive approach combining awareness, prevention, and strict enforcement to protect young citizens.
60-day national campaign aims to educate, engage, and empower students to resist tobacco initiation, support those seeking to quit, and promote overall wellness across schools and higher education institutions. States and Union Territories have been urged to implement the Guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) and intensify on-ground action through interactive programs and awareness drives.
- Enforcement drives to maintain 100% tobacco-free educational campuses.
- Training and capacity-building workshops for teachers, NSS/NCC volunteers, and school leaders.
- Counselling and support services for students aiming to quit tobacco or other harmful substances.
- Community campaigns establishing 100-yard tobacco-free zones around educational institutions.
- Competitions and recognitions for institutions demonstrating best practices in maintaining ToFEI standards.
- Engagement activities such as the World No Tobacco Day Quiz and School Challenge: Towards a Tobacco-Free Generation on the MyGov platform.
Campaign reflects the government’s whole-of-society approach to health promotion, aligning with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. By empowering youth to make informed lifestyle choices, Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 aims to cultivate a generation that is not only academically capable but also physically and mentally resilient — essential for building a healthy and developed India.
Source: PIB
