Rajasthan Tops in Tobacco Control, Wins Best Performance Award from Government of India

Jaipur : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhajanlal Sharma and the guidance of Health Minister Mr. Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Rajasthan has achieved significant milestones in the field of tobacco control by implementing effective measures. As a result of the activities conducted under the National Tobacco Control Programme during the 2024–25 period, Rajasthan has secured first place at the national level. The Government of India has honored the state with the Best Performance Award for this achievement.

At an award ceremony held in New Delhi on Friday, the award was presented by Mrs. V. Heakali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Dr. L. Swasthicharan, Additional Deputy Director General. The award was received on behalf of Rajasthan by Dr. S.N. Dholpuriya, State Nodal Officer of the National Tobacco Control Programme, Mr. Narendra Singh, ASPHO, and Dr. Zakaria Chauhan, SPHO.

Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, congratulated all officers and personnel associated with the tobacco control program for this remarkable achievement. She noted that on 24 September 2024, the state had launched Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 2.0, under which extensive awareness programs were conducted down to the village level. In addition, strong enforcement activities were carried out under the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act, leading to the successful implementation of the program across the state.

Dr. Ravi Prakash Sharma, Director of Public Health, shared detailed statistics of the program’s impact:

• Under the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions initiative, 14,725 awareness programs were conducted.
• 11,850 IEC (Information, Education & Communication) activities were organized.
• Under Section 4 of COTPA 2003, 40,232 challans (fines) were issued by authorized officers.
• Under Section 6(A), 4,020 challans were issued.
• Under Section 6(B), 1,123 challans were issued.
• In the direction of tobacco cessation, 15,765 individuals received counseling, and 7,539 were provided with treatment.

This award is a testimony to Rajasthan’s leadership and commitment to creating a healthier, tobacco-free environment for its citizens.