Tobacco Free Educational Institutions TOFEI Implementation Guidelines Implementation of Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) and awareness on Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) - Certain instructions - Issued
School Education - Implementation of Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) and awareness on Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) - Certain instructions - Issued Rc.No.ESE02-30/26/2020-A&I-CSE Dated:22/09/2024
Read:-
1. Lr.Rc.No.024/NCD/NTCP/2022, Dated.03-08-2023 of the Commissioner, Health & Family & Mission Director, NHM, Mangalagiri, Guntur.
2. CSE Procs.Rc.No.ESE02-30/26/2020-A&I-CSE, Dated.01-02-2024.
3. Rc.No.8535/NTCP/2019, Dated.23-07-2024 of Spl. Chief Secretary to Government, Commissioner of Health & Family Welfare & Mission Director, NHM, 5th Block, A.P. Secretariat, Velagapudi, Amaravati.
The attention of all the District Educational Officers in the State is invited to the reference 3rd read above and informed that the Special Chief Secretary to Government, Commissioner of Health & Family Welfare & Mission Director, NHM has informed that, the Department of School Education and Literacy has developed the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions by implementing "TOFEI Implementation Manual" and was unveiled on World No Tobacco Day, 31st May 2024, to ensure that all educational institutions nation-wide comply with TOFEI guidelines and become tobacco-free.
Despite prior awareness campaigns in Andhra Pradesh in 2022 and the enforcement of Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) of 2019, adolescents continue to be drawn to e-cigarettes due to misconceptions about their safety and thus requested to issue instructions to all educational institutions to implement TOFEI guidelines, raise awareness about PECA, initiate action points outlined in the Manual.
In view of the above it is submitted that the following are the actions required to be undertaken to ensure compliance with the TOFEI guidelines (revised) and to enhance awareness about tobacco control:
Tobacco Control Activities:
- Organize assemblies in all educational institutions where students, teachers and staff can take a pledge against tobacco use.
- Facilitate poster, slogan, essay, quiz and debate competitions focusing on the harmful effects of tobacco. Ensure that posters and other informative materials are prominently displayed within the institution.
- Encourage and support tobacco control initiatives led by students, teachers and staff. Provide certificates of appreciation or awards to those who actively contribute to tobacco control efforts.
- Invite local law enforcement and health authorities to participate in school assemblies and deliver talks on tobacco control. This will help in advocating tobacco-related policies and educating the school
- Ensure that a 100-yard area from the outer boundary wall or fence of the educational institution is designated as a tobacco-free zone.
Therefore, all the District Educational Officers in the State are requested to disseminate these tobacco control activities to all school managements and ensure prompt execution within their jurisdictions
The Director, SCERT, State Nodal Officer for NTCP Programme is requested to monitor the implementation of above instructions.