Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav today launched the fourth edition of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 4.0 in New Delhi. The 60-day nationwide campaign, being undertaken by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, seeks to prevent tobacco initiation among young people, encourage tobacco cessation, strengthen enforcement of tobacco control laws and promote tobacco-free environments across the country. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jadhav stated that the primary objective of the campaign is to keep young people away from tobacco use, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s development. He emphasised that the health and well-being of young people are central to India’s aspirations of becoming a developed nation.
Mr Jadhav said that over 5.8 Lakh Educational Institutions and 73 thousand Villages Declared Tobacco-Free under previous three editions of the campaign. The Minister added that the harmful effects of tobacco are not limited to the consumers alone, as people around them are also affected. He noted that a large number of cancer cases in India are linked to tobacco use. The Minister emphasised that the campaign must transcend the boundaries of a government programme and evolve into a mass movement driven by the active participation and leadership of young people.
