BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Under the National Tobacco Control Program, the Tobacco-Free Gram Panchayat (TFGP) initiative in Nangli Kithore, Meerut aimed to combat widespread tobacco use and its harmful effects. This village faced challenges such as cultural acceptance of tobacco, low awareness of its risks, and weak enforcement of COTPA 2003. Targeting a population of 2868, the program sought to foster a tobacco-free culture through stakeholder engagement and strict policy enforcement.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: A community-driven approach was adopted to address the challenges. Starting with stakeholder sensitization workshops with Gram Panchayat members, Anganwadi workers, educators, and community leaders about the health hazards of tobacco use and COTPA 2003 provisions. A village-level tobacco control committee was formed to develop and monitor action plans.
Awareness campaigns featured innovative activities like the “Holi of Tobacco Products,” where shopkeepers and users publicly burned tobacco as a commitment to change. Public spaces displayed tobacco-free zone signage, and schools adhered to ToFEI guidelines.
COTPA enforcement was strengthened through inspections and FDGs. Health camps supported users in quitting tobacco, while the village Pradhan served as a tobacco control ambassador, fostering community ownership and collective responsibility.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: Nangli Kithore earned Tobacco-Free Gram Panchayat status through a self-evaluation scorecard and certification by district authorities. The initiative significantly reduced public tobacco use, raised awareness, and became a model for other districts, with media coverage inspiring replication across Uttar Pradesh.
CONCLUSIONS: The success of Nangli Kithore underscores the potential of grassroots initiatives in public health promotion. By leveraging community engagement, and strict enforcement of laws, the TFGP initiative serves as a scalable model for reducing tobacco use. Future recommendations include sustaining the program through continuous monitoring and expanding its scope to address other public health issues.