Education ministry kick-starts anti-tobacco campaign 'Promise To Protect' on Gandhi Jayanti

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Indian Ministry of Education launched the 'Promise to Protect' digital campaign with the pledge to shield students and the young generation from the harmful clutches of tobacco.

Inspired by the alarming figures from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey-4 (2019), which highlights that 38% of cigarette smokers, 47% of bidi smokers and 52% of smokeless tobacco users in India initiate tobacco use before their 10th birthday, and the government's commitment to creating tobacco-free educational institutions, the campaign has a clear goal to prevent the youth from embracing fateful tobacco addiction.

The digital conference, joined by more than 1,000 educators across the country, saw participants taking an online pledge to guard their schools and students against the peril of



tobacco. The online event was steered by famed actor and presenter, Karanvir Bohra.

Notable speakers such as Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of School Education, Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Director of Academics (CBSE), Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi of Tata Memorial Hospital, and Dr Vishal Rao, Group Director for Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at HCG Cancer Centre, shared their perspectives on the issue.

Victims of tobacco use also shared their painful journeys, highlighting the devastating impact of tobacco addiction. Teachers shared personal stories related to tobacco use and its profound impact, lending gravity to the campaign.

The conference also heard educators echoing their determination to equip their institutions with anti-tobacco education, framing it as a crucial element in their curriculum.