12th January, 2026
The Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), Department of Community Medicine & Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, officially launched the 5th Batch of the Basic Course on Tobacco Control (BCTC) on 12 January 2026 with 56 regisrations. The programme marked National Youth Day and highlighted the critical role of youth as both a vulnerable group and a powerful force in tobacco control. The session opened with an overview of the course by Prof. Sonu Goel, who emphasised the growing reach of RCTC’s capacity-building initiatives and the transition of tobacco control into a structured academic programme. Guest Addresses by Dr. Rana J. Singh, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, and Dr. P. C. Gupta underscored the public health burden of tobacco use, the need for scientific engagement, and strategies to counter industry interference. Participants shared expectations related to policy action, research, and community impact. The Chief Guest, Prof. Vikas Bhatia, commended RCTC’s leadership and stressed the importance of structured training, multi-pronged strategies, and sustained engagement. The programme concluded with course orientation details and next steps for participants.
