Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav on Wednesday launched the fourth edition of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC 4.0), calling upon young people to lead a nationwide movement against tobacco use and nicotine addiction.
Launched at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, the 60-day nationwide campaign aims to prevent tobacco use among young people, encourage cessation, strengthen enforcement of tobacco control laws and promote tobacco-free environments.
The campaign, being implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, places special emphasis on universities and colleges this year, encouraging tobacco-free campuses and youth-led awareness initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Jadhav said protecting young people from tobacco and addiction was essential for building a healthy and developed India. He urged students to reject tobacco and other addictive substances and promote healthy lifestyles in their families, educational institutions and communities.
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. He also cautioned that nicotine exposure during adolescence can adversely affect brain development, attention, memory and learning abilities.
Highlighting the achievements of the previous three editions, the government said more than 5.8 lakh educational institutions and over 73,000 villages had been declared tobacco-free. The campaigns have also strengthened enforcement of tobacco control laws and expanded community participation.
During the third edition, launched in October 2025, more than 58,000 enforcement drives were conducted, resulting in 1,45,477 challans under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. More than 60,000 enforcement personnel and tobacco cessation counsellors were also trained.
TFYC 4.0 will follow a six-pronged strategy focusing on public awareness, tobacco-free educational institutions, tobacco-free villages, stronger enforcement of tobacco control laws, digital and social media outreach, and greater participation by universities and colleges.
The campaign will promote compliance with the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions guidelines and strengthen enforcement of COTPA, 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. It will also use existing digital and outreach platforms to expand awareness and encourage tobacco cessation.
The initiative will adopt a whole-of-government approach, involving ministries, State and Union Territory administrations, educational institutions, enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals and civil society organisations.
Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava stressed that a healthy and addiction-free young generation was essential for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. She also highlighted the importance of sustained awareness and community participation in preventing tobacco use.
The launch programme featured awareness films and a patient testimonial under the Voice of Tobacco Victim initiative, highlighting the health consequences of tobacco consumption.
-PIB
