Programme Activities
Partnerships for Creating Supportive Environment for Tobacco Control in States
VHAI provided key technical support for State and District Tobacco Control Cells, link them with the community, spread outreach of activities, increased awareness on the law and assisted state governments in enforcing legislative provisions. District level community-based organizations also came together as a stronger coalition to broad base the awareness generation activities across various States and Districts. VHAI has been identified as the technical partner for National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the States of Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
The organization’s niche work in building partnerships has contributed to overall tobacco control measures in the last decade. Additionally, VHAI has robust relationships with various Ministries, policy makers, doctors, public/private institutions, community organisations, academic bodies, other public health organizations and media.
In the year 2012, VHAI received WHO Regional Director’s Appreciation Award for Outstanding contribution to tobacco control.
Sensitizing Various Stakeholders
- Frontline Workers like ASHAs, ANMs, Health workers and volunteers
- Education departments and Educational institutions
- District and Block administration
- Health Department., Practicing Doctors and Health Professionals
- Restaurant owners
Release of State Fact Sheets on the findings of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2) report, Government of India
VHAI coordinated the release of Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016-17 (GATS) conducted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. This was released in 30 States/Union Territories of India with the help of respective state Governments. This widespread sub national dissemination of GATS data has resulted in a lot of attention to the issue both among policy makers and law enforcers in the respective States/Union Territories.
Release State Factsheets on Economic Burden of Tobacco Related Diseases in India, Government of India
VHAI coordinated the release of state factsheet on Economic Burden of Tobacco Related Diseases in India in 13 states. This was released at a consultation in the presence of key stakeholders from Health, Finance, Excise, Revenue, Civil society and Academia. All the state focal points, including the State Tobacco Control Cells, were involved in this event.
