29th January, 2026
An on-site consultative meeting was held on 29 January 2026 to discuss the development of a Certificate Course on Good Laboratory Practices for Strengthening WHO-FCTC Articles 9 and 10 in the Indian Subcontinent. The meeting, held alongside the 7th National Conference on Tobacco or Health at AIIMS Raebareli, brought together policymakers, researchers, laboratory experts, and representatives from institutions such as MoHFW, Vital Strategies, NAMS, JIPMER, ICMR, NIMHANS, AIIMS, and PHFI. The discussions focused on designing a structured training programme to enhance the technical competencies of laboratory personnel involved in tobacco product testing. Experts reviewed the proposed course curriculum, which incorporates active learning methodologies, such as case studies, group discussions, and problem-solving exercises, to ensure the practical application of laboratory principles. The meeting emphasised that strengthening technical capacity through structured training programmes would play a critical role in improving the reliability and quality of tobacco product testing and supporting evidence-based tobacco regulation in India.
