UPVHA launched PAT & APPLE (Partnership against Tobacco & Action for Policies, Politics, Legislation and Execution) project on October 1, 2008 under Bloomberg Global Initiative in collaboration with VHAI. It is a campaign programme through policy advocacy at the state level, coalition building and networking with like-minded NGOs/CBOs, government departments and law enforcement agencies working on tobacco control.

As we know that, the issue of Tobacco control has global concern and lots of work is being done to reduce the ill effects of tobacco on public health. Today, tobacco giants are shifting their focus from industrialized countries to developing countries and India is a prime target due to its one billion populations, with about 250 million tobacco users and many more potential smokers. India is currently the third largest producer of tobacco after China and Brazil, and exports about one-fourth of its production. So it becomes especially important to create a smoke free environment for the people of Uttar Pradesh and preventing non- smokers from the health hazards of second hand smoke.

This can be achieved through the effective implementation of COTPA 2003. Effective implementation of Act needs strong advocacy efforts with Policy makers, public awareness, media involvement, involvement of law enforcing agencies etc. Keeping these facts in mind, we have conducted various activities under six KFAs.