Jaipur, May 19 (IANS). Rajasthan has made an important global achievement in the field of tobacco control. The Medical and Health Department of the Government of Rajasthan has been awarded a prestigious international honor under the World No Tobacco Day Awards 2026 of the World Health Organization (WHO) for its exemplary work in implementing tobacco control initiatives across the state.
The award is presented by WHO in recognition of Rajasthan’s remarkable achievements in tobacco control during 2025-26 in the South-East Asia region.
Expressing happiness over this achievement, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that this honor reflects the unwavering commitment of the state government towards public health, effective policy implementation and building a ‘Tobacco Free Rajasthan’.
He said that the Government is continuously taking concrete and result-oriented steps to protect the citizens, especially the youth, from the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.
The Chief Minister said that this recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of the Medical and Health Department, District Administration, health workers and various social organizations working across the State.
Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said that Rajasthan has made its mark as a role model across the country in the field of tobacco control.
He highlighted that the State has vastly expanded tobacco cessation treatment and counseling services, benefiting lakhs of people.
He further said that the government will continue to further strengthen the tobacco control movement through extensive public awareness campaigns and stringent enforcement measures in the coming years.
At present, more than 500 tobacco cessation treatment and counseling centers are functioning across Rajasthan, with services extending up to the block level.
These centers are geographically tagged and integrated with the digital platform, facilitating citizens to easily identify and reach the nearest convenience centre.
The state has also launched effective enforcement campaigns under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 and the Electronic Cigarettes Prohibition Act, 2019.
Additionally, extensive awareness campaigns were conducted through social media platforms, delivering over 60,000 messages, updates and public relations activities related to tobacco prohibition.
The government also ensured compliance with ‘Tobacco Free Schools’ guidelines in more than 83,000 schools across the state.
–IANS
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