The collaboration between educational and health authorities underscores the importance of a multi-faceted approach to achieving tobacco-free educational institutions and, ultimately, a tobacco-free society.

World No Tobacco Day is observed globally on May 31st each year. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987, the day aims to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The day serves as a significant reminder of the global tobacco epidemic and the urgent need for preventive measures. The theme varies each year, focusing on different aspects of tobacco control, but the underlying message remains consistent. This year, the focus is on the concerning trend of youth-targeted marketing by the tobacco industry. Young people are becoming more and more exposed to the appeal of tobacco products through massive social media and streaming platform marketing, which poses a serious risk to their health and well-being.
The Theme for World No Tobacco Day 2024 is “Protecting Children From Tobacco Industry Interference” to safeguard future generations and ensure that tobacco use continues to decline.
Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, responsible for over 8 million deaths annually. The detrimental effects of tobacco are extensive and multifaceted, affecting nearly every organ in the body. Major health impacts include:
1. Cancer: Tobacco smoking is a primary cause of lung cancer and significantly increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, pancreas, and bladder.
2. Cardiovascular Diseases: Tobacco use leads to the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease due to the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke that damage blood vessels.
3. Respiratory Diseases: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis are common among smokers. Tobacco smoke irritates the airways and lungs, leading to long-term respiratory issues.
4. Pregnancy Complications: Smoking during pregnancy can cause premature births, low birth weight, and congenital anomalies, It also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
5. Addiction: Nicotine, a key component of tobacco, is highly addictive, making cessation difficult and perpetuating the cycle of health damage.
India, with its vast population, faces a significant public health challenge due to tobacco use. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-17, about 28.6% of adults in India use tobacco in some form. The prevalence is higher among men compared to women, and smokeless tobacco use is particularly widespread.
In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, tobacco use is a major concern. The region has witnessed high rates of smoking and use of smokeless tobacco products. The geographical and socio-economic factors in Jammu and Kashmir contribute to the widespread use of tobacco, necessitating targeted public health interventions.
To address the growing concern of tobacco use among youth, the Government of India launched the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) initiative. The program aims to create a tobacco-free environment in schools and colleges across the country. Key components of the ToFEI initiative include policy Implementation and establishing strict no-tobacco policies within educational institutions, including prohibiting the sale of tobacco products near school premises as per CoPTA guidelines.
As part of the awareness campaign, it encourages conducting regular awareness programs and workshops for students, teachers, and staff about the harmful effects of tobacco.ToFEI also aims to provide counselling services and support for students and staff to quit tobacco use, including access to cessation resources. An important component also involves monitoring and evaluation. Regularly monitoring compliance with ToFEI guidelines and evaluating the impact of the program on reducing tobacco use.
The ToFEI initiative is significant for several reasons:
1. Youth Engagement: Targeting young individuals, who are more susceptible to initiating tobacco use, is crucial for long-term public health benefits.
2. Creating Healthy Environments: Ensuring educational institutions are free from tobacco promotes healthier environments conducive to learning and development.
3. Preventive Approach: By focusing on prevention, ToFEI reduces the future burden of tobacco-related diseases and healthcare costs.
Need for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions:
Educational institutions play a pivotal role in shaping the habits and behaviours of young people. Implementing tobacco-free policies in schools and colleges is essential for:
1. Protecting Health: Preventing exposure to tobacco products and secondhand smoke among students, teachers, and staff.
2. Setting Norms: Establishing non-smoking as the norm and promoting a culture of health and well-being.
3. Reducing Initiation: Reducing the likelihood of students starting to use tobacco, which often begins during adolescence.
To raise the level of awareness and to curb the growing menace of cigarette smoking and tobacco products, the Directorate of School Education and the Directorate of Health Services have collaborated to implement the ToFEI program effectively across the Kashmir region.
This integrated approach aims at combining educational strategies with health interventions to maximize the impact of anti-tobacco initiatives. This important understanding has led to effective resource sharing. Leveraging resources and expertise from both the education and health sectors has paved the way for comprehensive awareness programmes.
As of now hundreds of educational institutions, including the private institutions across the Kashmir division have been able to comply with the ToFEI guidelines and received the certificates as tobacco-free educational institutions and the process continues across all the districts of the Kashmir division.
The ToFEI initiative represents a significant step towards creating a healthier future for young people. The collaboration between educational and health authorities underscores the importance of a multi-faceted approach to achieving tobacco-free educational institutions and, ultimately, a tobacco-free society.
The writer is a columnist and academician. He can be reached at [email protected]

Rayees Masroor