The Government of India has announced the launch of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 (TFYC 3.0), a nationwide initiative aimed at creating a tobacco-free learning environment and protecting the health of young people across the country. The campaign, led by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, will begin on October 9, 2025.

Tobacco use remains a major public health issue in India, claiming more than 13 lakh lives every year. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2019) found that 8.4% of students aged between 13 and 15 years use tobacco, with many starting as early as the age of 10. To address this growing concern, the government has adopted a coordinated approach focused on awareness, prevention, and enforcement.

The 60-day national campaign aims to educate and empower students to stay away from tobacco, support those trying to quit, and build a strong culture of health and wellness in schools and colleges. States and Union Territories have been asked to strengthen the implementation of the Guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) and organise awareness programmes for students on the dangers of tobacco and substance abuse.

The campaign will focus on ensuring that educational institutions remain tobacco-free through enforcement drives and awareness activities. School heads, teachers, and NSS/NCC volunteers will be trained to spread awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco.

Counselling sessions will be organised to help students quit tobacco and other forms of substance use. Community drives will also be launched to reinforce the 100-yard tobacco-free zones around schools and colleges.

Competitions, awareness videos, and campaigns such as the ‘School Challenge: Towards a Tobacco-Free Generation’ on the MyGov platform will engage students in spreading the message of healthy living. Educational institutions that comply with ToFEI guidelines will also be recognised for their efforts.

The campaign supports the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, which focuses on developing a healthy, informed, and empowered young population.

By promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle, the initiative seeks to nurture a generation that is not only academically strong but also physically and mentally fit to lead India’s progress toward a healthier and more prosperous future.