31st July, 2026
The 44th edition of
Tobacco-Free Times (TFT), the bi-monthly newsletter of the Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), PGIMER Chandigarh, titled "Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction," was officially released during the 34th International Public Health Management Development Program (IPHMDP) on 31 July 2026.
The edition highlights how the tobacco and nicotine industry continues to attract consumers—particularly youth—through appealing marketing strategies, flavored products, innovative packaging, and misleading narratives that normalize nicotine use while obscuring its health risks. It emphasizes that the persistence of the tobacco and nicotine epidemic is driven not only by nicotine dependence but also by the deliberate appeal created through branding, product design, and targeted promotion.
The newsletter also features updates on key activities undertaken by the Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), recent national and international tobacco control developments, policy updates, research highlights, and important news from the field. Through its comprehensive coverage of emerging issues and ongoing initiatives, the 44th edition reinforces the need for coordinated, evidence-informed action to counter evolving tobacco industry tactics and strengthen tobacco control efforts in India and globally.
