Yellow Line To Be Marked 100 Yards Around Educational Institution To Prevent Smoking

New Delhi, May 23: In a bold move to protect students from tobacco exposure, the Government has mandated the marking of a yellow line 100 yards around all educational institutions to create tobacco-free zones. Additionally, no shops or vendors will be allowed to sell tobacco products within this demarcated area.

This initiative is part of a nationwide enforcement campaign launched by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, urging States and Union Territories to enforce the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines strictly. The action follows the 8th Apex Committee meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), which underscored the need for coordinated efforts between education and law enforcement to shield youth from harmful substances.

India, home to one of the world's youngest populations, is facing an alarming rise in tobacco use among adolescents. Studies show that 8.5% of students aged 13–15 use tobacco, and over 5,500 children begin consuming it daily. Recognizing this, the Ministry is pushing for enforcement of Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which bans the sale of tobacco within 100 yards of educational premises and to or by minors.

A month-long enforcement drive, running from World No Tobacco Day on May 31 to June 26, 2025, has been announced. The Ministry is also promoting awareness through the ‘World No Tobacco Day Awareness Quiz-2025’ on the MyGov platform to empower youth with knowledge about the dangers of tobacco.

States have been advised to set up mechanisms for schools to report violations without fear and ensure that School Management Committees, parents, and communities actively participate in making campuses safer and tobacco-free.