Compliance to the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution(ToFEI) guidelines at Madhyamik Vidhyalayas of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Maharashtra-A cross sectional study

Abstract

IntroductionRevised guidelines for Tobacco-Free Educational Institutes (ToEFI) were laid down in 2019 and they provide for tobacco free environment leading to a healthy life, implementation of legal provisions, and recognition about various approaches available for tobacco cessation. ObjectiveTo assess Madhyamik Vidyalays (MVs) for their compliance to the guidelines for ToFEI at the baseline using self-evaluation score card as part of operational research. Material and methodA cross sectional study was carried out during March 2021 among 19 MVs of Pimpri-Chinchwad block in Pune District, Maharashtra using census sampling. Trained data collectors scored for all 9 ToFEI criteria including the mandatory one's and their weightage points were calculated. Results and discussionEight {42%(0.21–0.64)} MVs had displays on tobacco-free area and awareness on the harms of tobacco displayed inside the premises and another three (16%(0.04–0.37)} had only the display of ToFEI signage at their boundary wall. No MV met with 4 or more criteria out of the total 9 criteria. The highest weightage of 29–30 out of 100 was achieved by only 2 {11%(0.01–0.30)} MVs and 5 {26%(0.10–0.49)} MVs achieved 0 points. No significance was given to tobacco free school probably because of untrained teachers and unawareness of the guidelines. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that minimal importance has been given to the revised ToEFI guidelines in making MVs tobacco-free. Hence, none of the them could attain the tobacco-free status.