9th October, 2025
On 9th October 2025, the Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), PGIMER Chandigarh, in collaboration with Vital Strategies and The Union, organized an international webinar titled “Licensing Tobacco Retailers to Advance Tobacco Control: Experiences from Various Countries.” The event brought together 1392 global participants, including experts, researchers, and policymakers, who emphasized that Tobacco Vendor Licensing (TVL) is the next essential strategy in tobacco control. Key speakers, including Dr. Sonu Goel, Dr. P.C. Gupta, and Dr. L. Swasticharan, highlighted the role of TVL in reducing youth exposure and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.
Experts from India (Mr. Shashikant Sharma), Bangladesh (Mr. Jehad Sarker), Singapore (Ms. Sabita Karapan), and Hungary (Ms. Milinda Penzes) shared international best practices, demonstrating TVL’s effectiveness in regulating retail environments.
The forum concluded with a consensus on integrating mandatory vendor licensing as a core strategy for tobacco control in India, reaffirming RCTC’s commitment to advancing a tobacco-free future.
