The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the Centre and the State to file a report on a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the authorities to strictly implement Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines in every school.A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman was hearing a petition filed by R. Manibharathi of Madurai.The petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to strictly implement Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines in every school, establish Child Tobacco Cessation Centre in every district by appointing Specialist, Medical Social Worker or Child Psychologist to counsel the children, conduct oral/dental health checks for all school students periodically.He sought a direction to the authorities to implement the directions issued by a Single Bench of the court in 2024. The Single Bench expressing concern over addiction of school students to banned tobacco products like ‘Cool Lip’, issued a set of directions to the Central and the State governments to curb the menace.The court had directed the State to establish a Child Tobacco Cessation Centre in each district to function as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and ensure at least one Specialist, Medical Social Worker or Child Psychologist was available to counsel/treat the children.The court also directed that a two-member - one teacher and one volunteer from the PTA or from the vicinity - Tobacco Monitoring Committee should be formed in every school, which would periodically inspect the school premises and the vicinity and inform the police station/food safety officer if there was any evidence of use or sale of tobacco products.Further, the court directed the State to implement Tobacco Free Educational Institution guidelines in letter and spirit, conduct oral/dental health checks for all school students periodically - at least twice in every academic year - and look out for tobacco/nicotine stains and, if they were present, without causing any embarrassment to the child, counsel the parents and the child, ensuring continuance of its education.The court posted the matter for hearing to July 3. Published - June 12, 2026 11:00 pm IST