Tobacco use remains one of India’s leading preventable causes of death, claiming 1.3 million lives each year. What is even more alarming, is that many users start as teenagers.
To tackle this, the Ministry of education in collaboration with the Ministry of health and family welfare launched a Tobacco-free youth campaign 3.0 ( TFYC 3.0) on 9th October 2025, inaugurated by Anupriya Patel, union minister of state for health and family welfare. It is a 60 day initiative being implemented nation wide through schools, colleges, NCC, NSS and youth organisations.
This national movement aims to empower students and youth to take the lead in creating a tobacco-free India.
By focusing on young people, the campaign hopes to break the cycle of addiction before it begins.
Key features of TFYC 3.0
This version of the campaign goes beyond awareness, it focuses on measurable action:
- Enforcement of tobacco-free educational institution guidelines in all schools and colleges.
- Strict maintenance of tobacco-free zones upto 100 yards around campuses.
- Training of teachers, students, NSS and NCC volunteers as “youth ambassadors”
- Creative awareness activities- rallies, poster making and essay contests.
- Social media drives to take the #TobaccoFreePledge.
- Collaboration with local health department for counselling services and support for quitting tobacco.
The campaign aligns with India’s long-term national goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2047, which marks 100 years of India’s independence.
Through sustained public education, law enforcement and youth participation, the government aims to drastically reduce smoking and smokeless tobacco use.
Every young person who says no to tobacco henceforth, takes India one step closer to a smoke-free generation.
MBH/AB