Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav has launched the fourth edition of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC 4.0), calling upon young people to lead a nationwide movement against tobacco use and addiction.
Launched at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, the 60 day campaign aims to prevent tobacco use among young people, encourage users to quit, strengthen enforcement of tobacco control laws and promote tobacco free environments across India.
The campaign is being implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with a special focus on universities and colleges in this edition.
Over 5.8 Lakh Educational Institutions Declared Tobacco Free
- According to the Ministry, the first three editions of the campaign resulted in more than 5.8 lakh educational institutions and over 73,000 villages being declared tobacco free.
- The first edition, launched in May 2023, covered more than 1.42 lakh educational institutions and 12,000 villages. The second edition in 2024 reported 1,67,762 tobacco free educational institutions and 27,534 villages.
- During the third edition in 2025, another 2,57,807 educational institutions and 33,850 villages were declared tobacco free.
- The third edition also recorded more than 58,000 enforcement drives and 1,45,477 challans under Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which prohibits smoking in public places. More than 60,000 enforcement personnel and tobacco cessation counsellors were also trained.
Universities and Colleges to Lead Awareness Activities
- A major focus of TFYC 4.0 is the involvement of higher educational institutions. Universities and colleges will be encouraged to strengthen tobacco free campus practices, organise awareness programmes and promote student-led initiatives.
- The campaign aims to engage young people in peer to peer awareness and encourage them to spread tobacco prevention messages among their families and communities.
- Jadhav urged students to stay away from tobacco and other addictive substances, stressing that protecting young people from addiction is essential for building a healthy and developed India.
- He also administered the “Say No to Tobacco” pledge to participants at the launch event.
Six Strategies to Strengthen Tobacco Control
The campaign will follow six key strategies:
- Public awareness: Educating young people about the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine.
- Tobacco-free institutions: Promoting compliance with tobacco free educational institution guidelines.
- Tobacco-free villages: Encouraging local administrations and communities to expand the initiative.
- Law enforcement: Strengthening implementation of COTPA, 2003 and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
- Digital outreach: Using social media and digital platforms to spread awareness.
- Youth participation: Encouraging universities and colleges to lead tobacco prevention activities.
The initiative will adopt a whole of government approach involving central ministries, state governments, Union Territories, educational institutions, enforcement agencies and community organisations.
Health Risks of Tobacco Highlighted
- The Minister highlighted the serious health risks associated with tobacco consumption, noting that tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including toxic and cancer-causing substances.
- He also expressed concern about nicotine exposure during adolescence, which can adversely affect brain development, attention, memory and learning abilities.
- Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava stressed that a healthy and addiction free generation is important for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. She urged young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and encouraged institutions and communities to sustain tobacco prevention efforts.
- The launch programme was attended by more than 300 people, including government officials, healthcare professionals, students and representatives of civil society organisations. It also featured educational videos and a patient testimony highlighting the consequences of tobacco-related illness.
Call for Nationwide Participation
- The Ministry has urged educational institutions, youth organisations, healthcare professionals, civil society groups and citizens to participate in the 60 day campaign.
- TFYC 4.0 seeks to build on previous initiatives by combining awareness, enforcement, cessation support and youth-led action to reduce tobacco use and promote healthier communities.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India, October 28, 2026.
