Meghalaya has become the first state where 86% of schools are tobacco-free under the ToFEI programme. Led by health and education departments, the initiative promotes awareness and strict norms. With high tobacco use in the state, the move is seen as a major public health step to protect children.
Shillong: In a significant public health and education milestone, Meghalaya has become the first state in India where 86 per cent of schools have been certified as Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI), the highest percentage recorded nationwide, officials said on Friday.
A state government official noted that this achievement is particularly crucial as Meghalaya records nearly 8,000 tobacco-related deaths annually.
Additionally, 47 per cent of adults aged 15 and above consume tobacco in some form, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2017).
Recognising that prevention must begin early, the Meghalaya government launched the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) programme three years ago under the National Health Mission.
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