Tobacco Control Hero 2026 awards: July 22 deadline for nominations

Metro India News|HYDERABAD : The Strategic Institute for Public Health and Research (SIPHER) has announced that July 22, 2026, till 5 pm, is the final deadline for submitting online nominations for the Tobacco Control Hero 2026 Awards.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, Tobacco Control Hero Raghunandan Maachana said the awards aim to recognize outstanding individuals who have made exceptional contributions to tobacco control over the past decade. He noted that SIPHER has been honouring distinguished tobacco control champions through the Hero Awards since previous editions, including 2025.

The awards are open to State Nodal Officers, District Nodal Officers under the National Tobacco Control Programme, civil society representatives, academicians, and officials from stakeholder departments and organisations. Nominees must be below 50 years of age as of July 15, 2026, and should have demonstrated significant contributions to tobacco control policy implementation, advocacy, research, and capacity building.

Raghunandan Maachana, citing a communication from Dr Rakesh Gupta, Director, SIPHER, urged eligible candidates to submit their nominations without delay. Self nominations will not be accepted, and applications must be recommended by experienced tobacco control stalwarts.

The award winners will be announced on August 8, 2026. SIPHER has also encouraged nominations of women to promote greater gender representation in tobacco control leadership.