SEEDS: Championing Tobacco Control in Bihar & Jharkhand - Over the past 15 years, Bihar has made remarkable progress in tobacco control with Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS) playing a pivotal role. As a national-level non-profit with a strong presence in Bihar and Jharkhand, SEEDS has become a recognized anti-tobacco crusader, working in close collaboration with state governments and with technical support from The UNION.

SEEDS began its tobacco control journey in April 2010, partnering with the State Health Society, Bihar. Since then, it has consistently supported the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) in driving policy advocacy, strengthening enforcement, and enabling multi-departmental engagement for effective implementation of COTPA 2003. Through sustained efforts, SEEDS has helped shape key state-level policies, government orders, and district-level strategies to curb tobacco use.

Currently, SEEDS works across all 38 districts of Bihar, partnering with District Tobacco Control Cells to ensure compliance with tobacco control laws at district and sub-district levels. Its role encompasses technical assistance, capacity building, monitoring, and coordination among enforcement agencies.

In Jharkhand, SEEDS extends similar technical support to the State Tobacco Control Cell, focusing on six intervention districts Bokaro, Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, and Ranchi under the Bloomberg Initiative, backed by The UNION.

With deep grassroots presence and policy-level engagement, SEEDS remains committed to advancing a tobacco-free generation through evidence-based advocacy, strong governance support, and community mobilization.