Rajasthan tops WHO tobacco control ranking in South-East Asia; CM Bhajanlal Sharma congratulates state for historic global public health achievement.

Rajasthan has achieved a landmark global recognition by securing the top position in the South-East Asia Region in the World Health Organization (WHO) ranking for tobacco control and de-addiction initiatives. The achievement has placed India prominently on the global public health map.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma congratulated the state health department and officials for this historic milestone.

Rajasthan Emerges as Global Leader in Tobacco Control

According to the WHO assessment, Rajasthan has delivered outstanding performance in tobacco control, awareness campaigns, and de-addiction programs, earning it the top rank in the region for the 2025–26 evaluation cycle.

Officials stated that the recognition reflects not just government efforts but also strong public participation and grassroots implementation.

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Large-Scale Awareness and Anti-Tobacco Campaigns

The state implemented a multi-layered strategy including:

• Tobacco-free school initiatives across thousands of institutions
• Strict enforcement of public smoking and sale restrictions
• Massive digital awareness campaigns on social media platforms
• Large-scale community outreach through rallies and street plays

These combined efforts significantly strengthened awareness, especially among youth and schoolchildren.

Digital Tracking and Grassroots Implementation

Rajasthan also introduced geo-tagging of de-addiction centres, making it easier for citizens to access nearby support facilities. At the same time, ground-level enforcement and counselling programs helped thousands of individuals quit tobacco products.

The initiative transformed into a people-driven public health movement across urban and rural areas.

Government Calls It a Collective Success

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the recognition is the result of strong policy decisions, effective execution, and collective effort by health workers, administrators, and civil society organizations.

He added that Rajasthan is now emerging as a model state for tobacco-free governance.