The University Grants Commission (UGC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has launched the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 (TFYC 3.0), a renewed initiative aimed at creating tobacco-free environments in schools, colleges, and universities across India. This campaign, building on the successes of TFYC 2.0, reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of the country’s youth.
The Urgent Need for TFYC 3.0
Tobacco consumption among children and young adults remains a critical public health challenge in India. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2019), 8.4% of school-going children aged 13-15 years use tobacco products, while the median age for initiating smoking or smokeless tobacco use is alarmingly low—ranging from 9.9 to 11.5 years. Alarmingly, girls often initiate tobacco use earlier than boys. Tobacco use, including cigarettes, bidis, gutka, khaini, and newer products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, is a major contributor to cancers of the head, neck, lungs, and other organs.
Youth are particularly vulnerable to experimenting with tobacco due to academic stress, boredom, and peer influence. Studies have also shown that early tobacco use can act as a gateway to other addictions and negatively impact learning outcomes.
TFYC 3.0: Goals and Strategy
TFYC 3.0 aims to engage heads of higher education institutions (HEIs) and other educational stakeholders in actively implementing tobacco-free practices, in line with the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines. The campaign is designed to:
- Educate and empower youth to resist tobacco initiation.
- Support students who wish to quit using tobacco or related substances.
- Strengthen a culture of health and wellness within educational institutions.
Key Activities Under TFYC 3.0
The campaign introduces a multi-pronged strategy to create tobacco-free campuses:
- Enforcement Drives: Ensure that all educational institutions comply with ToFEI guidelines.
- Capacity Building Workshops: Train school heads, NSS/NCC volunteers, and students to spread awareness of tobacco’s harmful effects.
- Felicitation Ceremonies: Recognize and honor institutions that successfully implement ToFEI guidelines.
- Community Campaigns: Establish a 100-yard tobacco-free zone around schools and colleges.
- Counselling and Support: Organize sessions for youth struggling with tobacco or substance use.
- Creative Awareness Initiatives: Conduct competitions for creating innovative content promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.
- Media Outreach: Collaborate with audio-visual channels to disseminate anti-tobacco messages widely.
TFYC 3.0 also emphasizes convergence between law enforcement, health, education departments, and civil society, ensuring holistic engagement at every level.
Moving Forward
The UGC and partnering ministries are calling on all educational institutions, from central and state universities to vocational and technical institutes, to actively participate in this campaign. The personal leadership of education administrators is crucial in mobilizing institutions and reinforcing the message of tobacco-free education.
By fostering a culture of health, awareness, and proactive intervention, TFYC 3.0 aims not only to reduce tobacco consumption but also to empower young people to make healthier life choices—paving the way for a tobacco-free generation in India.