A State-Level Multi-Stakeholders Workshop on Tobacco Control Organized at NLU Tripura and VHAT

A State Level Multi-Stakeholders Workshop on Tobacco Control was organized by Voluntary Health Association of Tripura, Agartala and National Law University, Tripura in the premises of NLU Tripura at Narsingarh on 23 May 2025. The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from Health department, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, civil society organizations, legal experts, and youth advocates. The primary objective was to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, enhance the enforcement of tobacco control laws, and explore innovative legal and policy measures to curb tobacco use in the state. The inaugural session was graced by Smt. Kalyani Saha Roy, Hon’ble Chief Whip, Tripura Legislative Assembly, Prof. Yogesh Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor, NLU Tripura, Ms. Megha Jain, IAS, Additional District Magistrate, West Tripura, Dr. Abhijit Das, SPO, NTCP, Tripura and Dr. Sreelekha Ray, President, VHAT.

Key technical sessions were conducted by Shri Dipak Mishra, Executive Director, SEEDS, Prof. Yogesh Pratap Singh, VC NLU Tripura and Dr. Prashanta Majumder, Nodal Officer, TCC, Agartala Govt. Dental College. The session covered the enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, implementation of TOEFI Guidelines to make all educational institutions of Tripura a tobacco free campus, Article 5.3 FCTC, the impact of surrogate advertising by celebrities, and the role of local governance in tobacco control. Experts also called for improved awareness campaigns, community engagement, and stricter monitoring of tobacco-related advertisements. The event concluded with a collective resolution to foster stronger inter-sectoral cooperation and to advocate for a tobacco-free Tripura through sustained legal, educational, and policy interventions.