Prataprao Jadhav launches tobacco free youth campaign 2.0 nationwide

New Delhi : The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, launched the second edition of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 at a hybrid event in New Delhi. The campaign aims to safeguard young people from the harmful effects of tobacco while emphasizing the importance of youth health for national progress. Tobacco cessation centers were also inaugurated across India.

13 lakh lives lost annually to tobacco use

Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Prataprao Jadhav warned that “every year around 13 lakh people lose their lives due to tobacco in India.” He stressed that tobacco has become a dangerous trend among youth, contributing to life-threatening diseases like cancer.

Prioritizing youth health for national development

During the event, Jadhav emphasized that youth health is directly linked to the nation’s growth. “Good health is intrinsically related to not only one’s own happiness but also the well-being of loved ones. A healthy young population is essential for the development of the country,” he stated, urging everyone to pledge against tobacco.

Key focus areas of campaign

The 60-day campaign prioritizes five key areas:

1. Increasing public awareness about the dangers of tobacco, especially in youth and rural areas.
2. Strengthening the enforcement of tobacco control laws, particularly the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019.
3. Promoting Tobacco-Free Villages and creating healthier environments through community collaboration.
4. Improving compliance with the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines to eliminate tobacco from schools and colleges.
5. Expanding social media outreach to engage youth with the harms of tobacco and the benefits of quitting.

WHO launches educational video for schools

The event saw the launch of an educational video by the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed at sensitizing young students about the detrimental effects of tobacco use. Three significant guidelines, including a health worker’s guide and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for tobacco-free villages, were also introduced.

Voices of tobacco victims share harrowing experiences

As part of the campaign, a testimonial video featuring cancer survivors from the Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) group was played. The survivors shared their personal battles with cancer, underscoring the devastating effects of tobacco use.

Bike rally to spread awareness

Two popular biking groups, the Harley Owners Group and Delhi Bikers Breakfast Run, flagged off a bike rally to raise awareness about the campaign, further boosting efforts to spread the message of a tobacco-free future.

Ministry encourages active participation

Union Health Ministry officials urged stakeholders to actively engage with the campaign on social media, sharing updates and promoting activities to amplify the campaign’s message and reach communities nationwide.