BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Tobacco uses among youth remains a pressing concern in India. 8% of the school going children of the Chhattisgarh state use tobacco in some form (GYTS - 4). A collaborative initiative by the Health and Education Departments of Chhattisgarh has led to significant progress in creating tobacco-free educational institutions (ToFEI), promoting a healthier future for students in the state.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: To declare educational institutions tobacco-free by enforcing stringent regulations, raising awareness, and fostering behavioural change among students and staff.
Key strategies implemented include:
1. Interdepartmental Collaboration: Joint efforts by the Health and Education Departments to align policies and resources.
2. Tobacco-Free Certification: Schools undergo inspections to ensure compliance with the COTPA 2003 provisions as well as the ToFEI guidelines.
3. Awareness Programs: Workshops and campaigns targeting students, teachers, and parents to highlight the harms of tobacco.
4. Monitoring Mechanisms: Periodic assessments to evaluate compliance and sustain the initiative.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: 33% (18899) educational institutions in Chhattisgarh have been certified as tobacco free. This achievement reflects the success of coordinated efforts and robust implementation strategies for implementing TOFEI guidelines in the state of Chhattisgarh. GoCG has integrated health awareness with education policies in Chhattisgarh that marks a transformative approach toward achieving tobacco-free educational institutions. By introducing a streamlined, portal-based certification process for school principals, the Education Department has taken ownership of this vital public health initiative.
CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative effort underscores the importance of institutional accountability and decentralized implementation, paving the way for a sustainable, student-centric model that protects the younger generation from the harms of tobacco. The initiative serves as an innovative blueprint for similar endeavors nationwide and globally.