Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava introduced the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Application as part of the government’s anti-tobacco efforts. The app aims to enhance the enforcement of tobacco-free regulations in schools and colleges nationwide. This initiative was unveiled during an event commemorating World No Tobacco Day 2026.
The ToFEI app is designed to facilitate self-assessment and compliance reporting by educational institutions. It focuses on enforcing tobacco control measures, including signage requirements, banning tobacco product sales near schools, and conducting awareness programs for students and teachers. The digital platform is expected to improve monitoring, reporting, and compliance assessment processes to create healthier, tobacco-free environments for young individuals.
The pilot phase of the application will be implemented in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra to evaluate its effectiveness and enhance future nationwide deployment. Additionally, the Ministry released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the collection of tobacco product samples to strengthen regulatory compliance and quality assurance. This SOP outlines standardized procedures for sample collection, storage, transportation, and documentation to ensure testing consistency and reliability.
Health Secretary Srivastava emphasized the importance of robust regulatory and enforcement mechanisms in tobacco control initiatives. She highlighted the significance of scientific sample collection, proper testing protocols, and maintaining the integrity of the entire process for effective enforcement actions. The SOP is expected to standardize procedures, aiding states and implementing agencies in bolstering compliance and enforcement efforts.
