Government Launches ToFEI App to Monitor Implementation of Tobacco-Free Norms

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day (31 May), Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava launched the pilot version of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Application in New Delhi. The digital platform aims to improve monitoring and implementation of tobacco-free guidelines across educational institutions and promote a healthier environment for children and adolescents.

Key Highlights

The ToFEI App has been launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).

The application will:

Facilitate self-assessment and reporting by schools and colleges.

Monitor compliance with tobacco-free guidelines.

Ensure installation of mandatory anti-tobacco signage.

Help enforce the ban on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sample collection of tobacco products was also released.

The pilot project will initially be implemented in:

Rajasthan

Meghalaya

Maharashtra.

The initiative aims to protect youth from tobacco and nicotine addiction and strengthen enforcement of tobacco-control regulations.

About ToFEI (Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions):

ToFEI is a government initiative to create tobacco-free environments in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.

It focuses on:

Awareness generation

Prevention of tobacco use among youth

Enforcement of tobacco-control laws

Monitoring compliance through digital reporting systems.

National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP)

Launched in 2007–08 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Objectives:

Reduce tobacco consumption.

Create awareness regarding harmful effects of tobacco.

Ensure effective implementation of tobacco-control laws.

Establish tobacco cessation services across the country.

Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003

India's principal tobacco-control legislation.

Key provisions:

Prohibits smoking in public places.

Bans sale of tobacco products to minors.

Prohibits sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.

Restricts advertisement and promotion of tobacco products.

World No Tobacco Day:

Observed every year on 31 May.

Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Aim:

Raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Encourage governments and citizens to adopt tobacco-control measures.

Theme for World No Tobacco Day 2026: “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”

Tobacco Use in India

India is among the world's largest consumers of tobacco products.

Tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for:

Cancer

Cardiovascular diseases

Stroke

Chronic respiratory diseases.