Meghalaya has achieved a national first in community-led tobacco control, with 264 Village Health Councils (VHCs) complying with the criteria of the Tobacco-Free Villages (TfV) program. Implemented across two pilot districts – East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills, the initiative is a National Health Mission (NHM), Meghalaya program in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) and implementation partner Sambandh Health Foundation (SHF). In the first year, 1,030 VHCs participated in the TfV program.The Meghalaya Tobacco-Free Village Program, designed by NHM-Meghalaya and SHF in February 2024, consists of six annual activities to be undertaken by each VHC. The “Meghalaya Model” draws on recognized global frameworks—WHO FCTC Articles 8, 12, 14, and 16, CDC Best Practices for Comprehensive tobacco control, and established behaviour-change theories (Nudge Theory, Social Norms Theory, Health Belief Model). It informed the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s “Standard Operating Procedures for Villages to be Tobacco-Free” which was issued later – in October 2024.Every year, an estimated 8,000 people in Meghalaya die due to tobacco use. Launched in May 2024 following an MoU between NHM Meghalaya and SHF, the TfV program mobilizes VHCs to appoint TfV Nodals who get community resolutions passed & conduct awareness drives. In early 2025, implementation was further strengthened by engaging the Community Gender & Health Activists (CGHAs), a village cadre of the MSRLS, deepening last-mile reach in the two districts.Senior official from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. L. Swasticharan (DDG & Director, Emergency Medical Relief) and Dr. Ankita Piplani (WHO Consultant, New Delhi), visited multiple villages and said they were “impressed by the outcomes”, commending the community-driven model. They were shown around by Dr. Nabaneeta Mawrie (State Nodal Officer, NTCP), Dr. Bibiana (District Nodal Officer), Mr. Marbud (State Consultant) and the SHF team.