Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Friday, 29 May 2026 launched the pilot version of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Application in New Delhi, marking a significant digital step in India's push to protect students from tobacco and nicotine addiction. The launch was held as part of the national observance of World No Tobacco Day 2026, organised under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).

What the ToFEI App Does

The ToFEI app is a digital monitoring and compliance platform designed to strengthen the enforcement of tobacco-free norms across schools and colleges nationwide. It enables educational institutions to conduct self-assessments and submit compliance reports against established ToFEI guidelines.

Key functions include tracking implementation of tobacco control signage, enforcing the prohibition on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions, and facilitating awareness and sensitisation activities for students and teachers. The platform also supports standardised monitoring and reporting for states, union territories, and programme officials.

Pilot States and Scale-Up Plan

The pilot rollout will cover three states — Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra — to assess operational feasibility and refine reporting mechanisms before a national scale-up. According to an official statement, the pilot is expected to inform the broader deployment of the platform across the country.

This phased approach reflects a deliberate strategy to iron out implementation gaps before extending the system to all states and union territories, where compliance with tobacco-free campus norms has historically been uneven.

New SOP for Tobacco Product Sample Collection

Alongside the app launch, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Sample Collection of Tobacco Products. The SOP lays down standardised procedures for the collection, handling, storage, transportation, and documentation of tobacco product samples to ensure consistency and reliability in testing.

Secretary Srivastava noted that 'scientific sample collection, proper testing procedures and maintenance of the integrity of the entire chain' are essential for effective enforcement and regulatory action. The SOP is intended to support states and implementing agencies in tightening compliance and enforcement efforts.

World No Tobacco Day 2026 Theme

This year's World No Tobacco Day theme — 'Unmasking the Appeal — Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction' — was described by Srivastava as especially relevant in the context of safeguarding young people and future generations. The theme directly targets the marketing and design tactics used by the tobacco industry to attract younger consumers, including through flavoured products and e-cigarettes.

What Comes Next

Feedback from the three-state pilot will determine the timeline and design of the national rollout. Educational institutions in pilot states are expected to begin using the app for compliance reporting in the coming weeks. A successful pilot could accelerate the Centre's broader tobacco control targets under the NTCP framework.