India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has received the prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control in the ‘O’ category. This category, under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) MPOWER strategy, recognises outstanding efforts to offer support for quitting tobacco use.
Award Presented at Global Conference
As reported by The Print, Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, presented the award at the World Conference on Tobacco Control held in Dublin, Ireland, on the night of June 23. The award celebrates India’s remarkable strides in providing cessation support to millions of tobacco users.
Global Recognition for Tobacco Control
India was honoured alongside Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, the Philippines, and Ukraine for their significant contributions to tobacco control. These governments and NGOs have implemented proven, evidence-based strategies despite challenges such as conflict and industry interference.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, praised the honourees:
“These achievements show what’s possible when governments and civil society act decisively to protect health.”
Commendation from Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg lauded the winners, saying:
“We commend their leadership, their commitment to evidence-based policies, and their contribution to saving millions of lives.”
He highlighted the success of the global tobacco control movement, which has saved tens of millions of lives and is one of the most effective public health efforts in history. Bloomberg also announced a new $20 million initiative to strengthen tobacco control in low- and middle-income countries.
India’s Comprehensive Strategy: The NTCP
India’s award-winning efforts stem from the Modi government’s National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). The NTCP has established over 675 tobacco cessation centres across district hospitals and delivered 1.35 million counselling sessions in 2023–24 alone.
Launched in 2016, the National Tobacco Quitline Services (NTQLS) operates in 16 Indian languages with nearly 100 counsellors. It manages about 42,000 calls per month. Furthermore, the mandatory display of the quitline number “QUIT TODAY, CALL 1800-11-2356” on tobacco products under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 has increased call volumes by over 30 per cent.
Expert Applauds India’s Efforts
Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director and Senior Professor of Psychiatry at NIMHANS, said:
“India has been making consistent efforts to help people quit tobacco through the NTCP. It is an honour to receive this recognition on behalf of the Indian government.”
She highlighted other key measures including:
- Tobacco cessation clinics in primary care (Ayushman Arogya Mandirs)
- National Tobacco Quitlines
- Cessation services in medical and dental colleges
Policy Leadership and Youth Protection
India has also demonstrated policy leadership by banning e-cigarettes through the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019. The government has set global benchmarks by mandating anti-tobacco warnings on OTT streaming platforms to safeguard youth.
Global Partners Recognised
Other nations received awards for specific actions:
- Mauritius: Introduced plain packaging
- Mexico: Enforced a ban on tobacco advertising
- Montenegro: Raised tobacco taxes
- Philippines: Strengthened surveillance partnerships
- Ukraine: Advanced smoke-free policies
Tangible Impact and Way Forward
India’s tobacco control efforts are showing results. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) reported a decline in tobacco use from 34.6% in 2009–10 to 28.6% in 2016–17—a 17.3% relative reduction. Additionally, the integration of tobacco cessation into the National TB Elimination Programme and expansion into medical institutions highlight India’s holistic approach.
With tobacco still claiming 1.3 million lives annually in India—about 3,500 per day—continued investment and innovation remain vital. The latest recognition and Bloomberg’s announced funding offer a powerful boost to India’s ongoing mission to eliminate tobacco-related harm.