Alarming Rise in Tobacco Use Among School Children in Madhya Pradesh

A recent report from the state health department of Madhya Pradesh has revealed that approximately 4% of school children in the region are using tobacco. This concerning statistic has raised alarms among health officials, particularly as tobacco is linked to cancer in 54.9% of males and 17.7% of females in the state, according to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The rise in tobacco use among youths is not an isolated issue. Research from the Union health ministry indicates that tobacco consumption among young people is increasing rapidly, often leading to experimentation with other forms of substance abuse within school and college environments. Studies show that 8.5% of Indian students aged 13–15 years are using tobacco in some capacity. Alarmingly, more than 5,500 children across the country begin using tobacco every day, marking tobacco as a potential gateway to more dangerous substances.

Particularly troubling is the fact that many adult tobacco users begin their habits during adolescence. Despite existing laws aimed at regulating tobacco sales, many young individuals can easily purchase these products from shops located near schools.

In response to this growing public health crisis, the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Manish Sharma, has announced proactive measures. The health department, in collaboration with the school education department, is actively implementing the Tobacco-Free Educational Institute guideline. This initiative provides a structured framework aimed at making schools and colleges completely free from tobacco use and sales.

The guidelines are designed to assist educational institutions in creating a healthier, tobacco-free environment for students. Dr. Sharma emphasized that the manual is intended to empower all stakeholders to adopt and enforce practices that protect students from the dangers associated with tobacco use.

Moreover, the enforcement drive will focus on upholding Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. This section prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions and bans the sale of tobacco to or by minors.

As Madhya Pradesh takes significant steps to combat tobacco use among its youth, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. The health department’s efforts underscore the urgent need to address this pressing public health issue and ensure that the next generation is protected from the harms of tobacco.