Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 | 10 Oct 2025

Why in News?

The ‘Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0’ was inaugurated in East Singhbhum district under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). 

  • The campaign, launched by Civil Surgeon Dr. Sahir Paul, aims to spread awareness about the ill effects of tobacco consumption and promote a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle among the youth.

Key Points

  • A 60-Day Awareness Drive: The campaign began on 9th October 2025, and will continue for 60 days across the district. 

  • Dr. Sahir Paul administered an oath against tobacco use and led a signature drive promoting a healthier society.

  • The campaign’s primary goal is to educate young people about the harmful effects of tobacco and to inspire them to adopt a nasha mukt (drug-free) way of life. 

  • Community & Institutional Participation: The campaign will see active collaboration among government departments, NGOs, and volunteer groups to ensure widespread participation. 

  • It also aims to declare educational institutions and villages as tobacco-free zones, fostering health awareness in both urban and rural areas.

National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP)

  • The NTCP was launched in 2007–08 during the 11th Five-Year Plan to reduce tobacco use and related health risks. 
  • It aims to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco, reduce its production and supply, ensure enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), and help people quit tobacco. 
  • The NTCP also aligns with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. 
  • Implemented through a three-tier structure—national, state, and district levels—it currently covers all 36 States and Union Territories, spanning about 612 districts. 
  • The programme has contributed to a reduction of about 8.1 million tobacco users in India.