Tobacco-Free Village Programme in two hill districts

THE Tobacco-Free Village (TfV) Programme started in 2024 in East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills led by the National Health Mission (NHM) in Meghalaya alongside the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) and Sambandh Health Foundation (SHF). Over the past two years, it has become a national example for community-led tobacco control.

Dr Nabaneeta D Mawrie from NHM Meghalaya emphasized that this programme focuses on community action rather than just making villages tobacco-free on paper. In the first year, 264 out of 1,295 Village Health Councils (VHCs) achieved tobacco-free status, which increased to 531 in the second year. 

Now, 1,039 VHCs are actively working on the programme. 

With about 8,000 tobacco-related deaths each year in Meghalaya, the initiative's expansion to village-level prevention is a significant public health success. In Year 2, the programme facilitated over 5,500 anti-tobacco activities, involving more than 55,000 community members, fostering discussions about tobacco health risks and prevention in various community meetings.

The programme’s method stands out as it recognises villages as Tobacco-Free through community engagement and verifying compliance, not just declarations. VHCs appoint a TfV Nodal Officer, host awareness talks, pass resolutions to limit tobacco sales near schools, issue no-smoking orders in public spaces and promote awareness campaigns. 

Villages earn the Tobacco-Free title by completing and verifying at least five of six required actions. Senior health officials and WHO representatives praised this community-centered approach during visits in the first year.

Visible impacts have emerged in communities. The Chairperson of Mawmluh VHC reported that around 40-50% of villagers stopped using tobacco in public areas such as tea shops and bus stands, and 60-70% have quit smoking at home, especially around children. TfV Nodal Officers are also ensuring that tobacco products are not sold near schools. The program has led to increased awareness and positive behavioral changes regarding tobacco use in these communities.

In the second year, community mobilization improved through VHCs, TfV Nodal Officers and Community Gender Health Activists (CGHAs) of MSRLS. Ronald Kynta from MSRLS mentioned that their established relationships within communities have supported deeper tobacco prevention discussions, aligning healthy practices as a collective goal. The Government of Meghalaya recognized three top-performing VHCs during World No Tobacco Day 2026, awarding them certificates and cash prizes.

Sambandh Health Foundation employs a unique digital programme implementation methodology for the program. Kynta indicated that the program illustrates what community groups can accomplish with dedicated local support. The third year of the Tobacco-Free Village Programme began on September 1, 2026. 

Meghalaya, with a history of 47% tobacco users is actively transforming its villages to combat tobacco use effectively. The initiative demonstrates that tobacco-free living is an achievable reality, setting a standard for others in India to follow.

Shillong
September 10, 2026