Purpose

The purpose of this blog is to inform, educate, and advocate for the implementation and enforcement of tobacco-free policies in educational institutions. It will highlight the importance of tobacco-free environments for students, faculty, and staff, as well as the broader impact on public health.

Background

Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement) Act, 2003, Guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) is an act that prohibits the advertisement of, trade in, and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products. The aim of this act is to regulate commerce and production of tobacco products in the entire territory of India. The objective behind this act is to energize tobacco control initiatives among adolescents and young adults. It provides a framework for implementing tobacco control measures. The act Specifies criteria for Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) and outlines roles and responsibilities for stakeholders.

Applicability

These guidelines are applicable educational institutions at all levels, encompassing schools, colleges, and universities, across both public and private sectors.

Overview

On 11^th September, 2024, the University Grants Commission issued the notification regarding the Request for the effective implementation of the Tobacco Free Educational Institutional (ToEFI) manual and guidelines. Some of the important guidelines issued by University Grants Commission are us under:

• An Educational Institution should display “Tobacco Free Educational Institution” signage as specified in Annexure II in the premises
• An Educational Institution should display display Tobacco Free Area” signage as specified in Annexure III outside the Educational Institution.
• The Educational Institution should designate Tobacco Monitor(s) from amongst their staff, an official or a teacher or a student representative (the student from class IX onwards). Health & Wellness Ambassadors should also be designated as Tobacco Monitors.  The name, designation and phone number of the Tobacco Monitor(s) should also be mentioned on the signages.
• The Educational Institution management should ensure that no tobacco products are sold inside the premises and in an area within a 100 yards from the premises. Any violation should be reported to the National Quitline at 1800-11-2356.
• The Educational Institution management must not permit any use of tobacco products in the premises of the institution by anybody, including students, teachers, other staff members, school buses’ drivers & staff and visitors.
• Observance of the “No Tobacco Use” norm should be included in Educational Institution’s code of conduct guidelines and action should be taken against such violations as per EI’s internal policy.
• The Educational Institution management and the Tobacco Monitors must also be vigilant to note the tobacco substitutes such as e-cigarettes and the like devices viz. Heat-Not-Burn devices, Vape, e-Sheesha, e-Nicotine Flavoured Hookah. Such products, though not tobacco products, are also harmful for health.
• The Institution may use the Self-Evaluation Scorecard for Tobacco Free Educational Institution given in Annexure IV, to assess the status of implementation of the ToEFI Guidelines in their institution on half-yearly basis and to get a certificate to this effect to those EIs who score 90% and above marks.
• The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2011 prohibits the use of tobacco and nicotine as ingredients in food products and as such various States have issued necessary orders for prohibiting the sale of Gutkha and Pan Masala (containing tobacco or nicotine).
• The Educational Institution should also help tobacco users and tobacco addicts to quit tobacco by encouraging them to avail the Quitline services and mCessation services.
• ToFEI must not participate in any event sponsored by any firm or a subsidiary of a firm or a seller, which promotes the use of or manufactures or sells tobacco products in any form.
• Educational Institutions/ Students should also not accept any prize or scholarship instituted by such firms

The guidelines also suggests the Tobacco control activities which can be taken by Educational Institutions and the Roles and responsibilities of various organizations in the implementing of these guidelines.

Conclusion

Creating tobacco-free educational institutions is not just a policy decision; it’s a commitment to the health and well-being of students, faculty, and the community as a whole. With the rising challenges of vaping and e-cigarette use among youth, it’s more important than ever that schools take a strong stance in protecting students from tobacco-related harms.By adopting comprehensive tobacco-free policies, schools and universities can create environments that promote healthy choices, protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of smoke, and discourage the next generation from starting a harmful habit. Every step toward a tobacco-free environment is a step toward a brighter, healthier future for all.

Disclaimer:  This is an effort by Lexcomply.com, to contribute towards improving compliance management regime. User is advised not to construe this service as legal opinion and is advisable to take a view of subject experts.