New Delhi: The fourth edition of a campaign which aims to prevent tobacco initiation among young people, encourage cessation, strengthen enforcement of tobacco control laws and promote tobacco-free environments was launched on Wednesday by Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav
The 60-day Tobacco-Free Youth campaign was launched at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr RML Hospital here, a health ministry statement said.
According to the statement, over 5.8 lakh educational institutions and more than 73,000 villages were declared tobacco-free during the previous three editions of the campaign, launched annually since 2023.
This year’s edition places special emphasis on universities and colleges, with a focus on tobacco-free campuses and youth-led awareness initiatives.
“Protecting our youth from tobacco and addiction is essential for building a healthy, strong and developed India,” Jadhav said, urging educational institutions, families, communities and government agencies to work together to safeguard young people from substance dependence.
The minister highlighted the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, noting that tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including toxic and cancer-causing substances, which can damage different organs.
He also cautioned against the harmful effects of second-hand smoke on family members and others.
Nicotine exposure during adolescence can adversely affect brain development, attention, memory and learning abilities, he said, underlining the need to prevent tobacco use at an early age.
According to the ministry, the campaign will be implemented through a six-pronged strategy covering public awareness, tobacco-free educational institutions, tobacco-free villages, enforcement of tobacco control laws, social media outreach, and engagement with universities and colleges.
The initiative will promote compliance with the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions guidelines and strengthen enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
The campaign will also encourage local administrations, Panchayati Raj institutions, students and faculty members to participate in awareness activities and promote tobacco-free environments in educational institutions and communities, the statement said.
Highlighting the achievements of the previous editions, the ministry said more than 1.42 lakh educational institutions and 12,000 villages were declared tobacco-free during the first edition in 2023. Enforcement activities during the campaign resulted in fines exceeding Rs 1 crore.
The second edition, launched in September 2024, saw 1,67,762 educational institutions and 27,534 villages achieve tobacco-free status, with fines exceeding Rs 1.1 crore through enforcement measures.
During the third edition in 2025, 2,57,807 educational institutions and 33,850 villages were declared tobacco-free. More than 58,000 enforcement drives were conducted, resulting in 1,45,477 challans under Section 4 of COTPA, which prohibits smoking in public places. Over 60,000 enforcement personnel and tobacco cessation counsellors were also trained, the statement said.
Jadhav said the campaign, which combines prevention, cessation, enforcement and community participation, must evolve beyond a government programme into a mass movement led by young people.
He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on de-addiction during his Mann Ki Baat address on August 30, 2026, and urged young people to spread awareness in schools, colleges, families and communities.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said sustained commitment, coordinated institutional action and community participation were essential to strengthening tobacco control efforts.
She congratulated Dr RML Hospital on being a tobacco-free campus and said a physically and mentally healthy, confident and addiction-free generation was essential for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
The ministry will work with other central ministries, state governments, Union Territories, enforcement agencies, educational institutions and local administrations to expand the campaign’s reach.
Development partners, civil society organisations and healthcare professionals will also be engaged, the statement said.
Jadhav administered the ‘Say No to Tobacco’ pledge to participants, urging them to stay away from tobacco, encourage users to quit and contribute to building a healthier, tobacco-free society.
