Tobacco-Free Youth (TOFY): an initiative in rural Karnataka

Tobacco is a burgeoning public health issue. Killing 10 lakh people every year in India and around 44000 people every year in Karnataka, tobacco is the preventable cause of mortality and morbidity. Tobacco addiction is mainly because of early age of initiation. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GSTS) reveal that tobacco initiation starts at an age of 17. It becomes a great effort to bring these children and youth out of tobacco addiction. It is proven that prevention is better than cure, and this is applicable even to tobacco. It is dire need of the hour to ensure that children are kept safe from tobacco addiction. Evidence, shows that nicotine is highly addictive substance and is one of the main chemical present in tobacco products. Hence, it is a top priority to the public health advocates, doctors, and education experts to protect these children from tobacco epidemic. Various measures have been taken by the Union and State government, Civil societies, policy makers, and doctors to keep children away from smoking or tobacco consumption.

IPH has been working on tobacco control and supporting the State government of Karnataka on policy decisions and policy implementation for nearly a decade now. In order to make certain that children do not fall prey to tobacco consumption IPH with support from Thought Works is working on TOFY project in Tumkur district currently. The objective is to make selected 75 schools tobacco-free and has collaborated with District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), District education department (DDPI) for the same.

The key objectives are further detailed below:

1. Training of trainers
2. Mapping of schools
3. Implementation of COTPA in support of DTCC.
4. Declaration of Tobacco Free Education Institutions (TOFEI)
5. Creating awareness to the school children.
In addition to this, the IPH TOFY Team also has goal of making one village tobacco-free.

1. Sensitization of State level authorities: The project team had meeting with the Joint Director and Deputy Director (Medical) at the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) were met and sensitized about TOFY project. The STCC team welcome the idea as it is also in line with one of their objectives. A letter of support was also given to IPH team upon request.

2. Sensitization of district officials: The Deputy Commissioner, District Health Officer, District Surveillance Officer, Deputy Director Public Instructions (DDPI), District consultant of NTCP were met and explained about the TOFY project and its intention of creating tobacco-free schools thereby saving the next generation from tobacco. All the officials extended and promised complete support towards the initiative.

3. Meeting with key officials in block-level: Block Level Officers and Block Resource Coordinators were met in all the 6 blocks of the district and requested support for the campaign.

4. Training of trainers: The team has successfully completed 7 trainings in 5 taluks and one training at district level. Around 300 officials have been trained so far under the project.

5. Developing of resource materials: As one of the main objectives the team had developed and printed resource materials for use in training of trainers. The materials were appreciated and well received by every participant.

6. Distribution of signage to schools: The team as part of the objective distributed signage to 75 schools of 6 blocks. The 3 signage are as per mandates and specifications of TOFEI guidelines of the Government of India.

7. 700 students of 9 schools have been reached through this project to create awareness about tobacco consumption and smoking. They have also been made conscious about Tobacco control act (COTPA), Tobacco Free Education Institution (TOFEI) initiative, and de-addiction support from the government for tobacco addicts.