In continuation of interventions on Non-Communicable Diseases in rural areas, Ambuja Foundation is moving forward towards creating a ‘Tobacco Free Workplace’. This initiative is being rolled out in partnership with Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation under its LifeFirst program – an evidence based tobacco-dependence treatment program - and will reach 1500+ Ambuja Foundation staff across locations and project sites.

Workplaces can have a significant effect on people’s lifestyle choices. This initiative therefore, offers a unique opportunity to address people’s health and influence their inclination to restrain from using tobacco products. Workers spend their most interactive hours in a day at the workplace. Restrictions of tobacco use in workplaces encourage employees who consume tobacco to cut down or quit, and help those who are already tobacco-free to stay that way.

Under this initiative a baseline survey is currently being conducted to understand the consumption levels of tobacco in offices across locations. Based on the responses received, an awareness and educative model will be designed and implemented across locations.

Last year Ambuja Foundation and LifeFirst partnered to implement a tobacco cessation initiative to promote the widespread treatment of tobacco dependence for people from all social strata. The initiative, delivered through Sakhis, identified pregnant women consuming tobacco during antenatal care. With the help of a field action research, basis the results a tobacco cessation project will be designed offering cessation services to mothers and balance maternal health indicators.

Creating resource personnel has proven to be an effective way in sustaining projects and also leading to action. Like Master Trainers, Ambuja Foundation has trained adolescents as Swachta Doots in schools to play a pivotal role in monitoring and educating peers and community on the ill-effects of tobacco consumption. Ambuja Foundation has worked extensively towards creating tobacco free schools and communities and it is now time to focus on its own workplace.