Latest news with #ToFEI
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Arunachal bags best-performing state award for tobacco-free youth campaign
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh has been recognised as the best-performing state under the smaller states category for its outstanding implementation of the tobacco-free youth campaign 2.0, an initiative of the Union Health and Family Welfare ministry. The award was conferred by the ministry's additional secretary V Hekali Zhimomi, and Director of Drug and General Disease Dr L Swasti Charan, and was received by National Tobacco Control Programme in-charge state programme officer Dr Hatobin Mai and NTCP state consultant Karpa Marde, an official statement said here. Conducted from September 23 to November 24 last year, the campaign aimed at creating mass awareness among the youth about the dangers of tobacco use, encouraging cessation, and shielding them from the manipulative strategies of the tobacco industry. The campaign also promoted the establishment of tobacco-free educational institutions and empowered rural communities through public engagement and stronger law enforcement. The campaign was successfully implemented across all 26 NTCP districts, including Yupia, Pasighat, Bomdila, Ziro, Daporijo, Aalo, Seppa, Tezu, Yingkiong, Roing, and the Itanagar Capital Region, among others. Under TFYC 2.0, Arunachal Pradesh recorded remarkable achievements. A total of 2,250 IEC activities were conducted, along with 851 village-level awareness campaigns. A total of 279 gram panchayats passed resolutions declaring their jurisdictions tobacco-free, while 404 villages were officially declared tobacco-free. Additionally, 2,120 educational institutions achieved tobacco-free status under the ToFEI guidelines, and 3,356 institutions were covered through awareness drives by the district tobacco control cells . The campaign also saw 237 school rallies, 201 enforcement drives, and 972 challans issued under various sections of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act , 2003. These enforcement actions resulted in a total penalty collection of ₹2,33,600. The recognition of Arunachal Pradesh reflects its commitment to safeguarding youth from tobacco-related harm and building a healthier, tobacco-free society through grassroots efforts and interdepartmental coordination.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Centre asks states to run special drives enforcing anti-smoking rules
NEW DELHI: The Centre has directed all states to undertake special drives to enforce rules banning smoking in public places, prohibiting the advertisement of tobacco products and prohibiting the sale of tobacco products without statutory pictorial warnings to observe World No Tobacco Day on May 31. In a letter to all the states/UTS, the Health Ministry said the states should prepare and launch an action plan for implementing the revised guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI, 2019) at all state-level events, 'aiming that all the educational institutions implement the guidelines strictly and be certified as tobacco-free.' The states were also asked to undertake other activities for the WNTD campaign, including carrying out print media coverage, pamphlets in schools, wall paintings, hoardings, awareness drive through celebrities, public announcements, social media campaign, television, radio jingles, street plays, among others for creating awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use. The ministry asked the states to share an action taken report within 10 days after WNTD 2025. 'In previous years, states/UTS have actively observed World No Tobacco Day by carrying out campaigns, organizing various activities and enforcing the Provisions of the COTPA, 2003 and PECA, 2019. The successful and strong participation on this day would bring visibility to the National Tobacco Control Program's efforts in reducing tobacco and nicotine use in India,' said V. Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary in the Union Health Ministry.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
A yellow line campaign to keep tobacco away from the vicinity of educational institutions
Using a thick yellow line, all educational institutions should demarcate a 100 yard or 300 feet tobacco-free zone around the institution and ensure no sale of tobacco products. This should be completed within 30 days from May 31, which is observed as World No Tobacco Day, in all districts. This comes in line with the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 that prohibits the selling of tobacco products within 100 yards of any educational institution. This year, World No Tobacco Day is being observed on the theme of 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. In line with this, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, in its communication to District Health Officers, said as per the Revised Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines issued by Union Health Ministry and ToFEI implementation manual issued by the Union Education Ministry, all heads of educational institutions (schools / colleges / other educational institutions) should mark 100 yard or 300 feet area around the institution by a thick yellow line by involving local body authorities and Parents Teachers Association (concerned educational institutions). They should ensure that there is no tobacco sale within the yellow line. An enforcement team comprising health / police / local authorities will be formed and a block-level intensified enforcement drive will be conducted on May 30, June 3 and June 6 under COTPA with Information Education and Communication initiatives. The enforcement team will remove all direct / indirect advertisement of tobacco products if found during the drive.
