Rajasthan was awarded the Best Performance Award by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) for the year 2024-25, recognising the state's outstanding efforts in tobacco use reduction, awareness campaigns, and youth engagement. Under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Rajasthan implemented a 60-day Tobacco Free Rajasthan Action Plan with widespread awareness programmes, oath-taking ceremonies, and school-level activities. The state topped the national rankings in the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2023 activities. The NTCP, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme running since 2007-08, aims to reduce tobacco use through effective implementation of COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003), awareness drives, cessation services, and curbing tobacco advertisements. The award underscores Rajasthan's commitment to public health and preventive healthcare and demonstrates effective state-centre coordination in controlling a major public health hazard responsible for over 13 lakh deaths annually in India.
Rajasthan Wins Best Performance Award Under National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) 2024-25; State Tops Tobacco Free Youth Campaign
Rajasthan was awarded the Best Performance Award by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) for the year 2024-25, recognising the state's outstanding efforts in tobacco use reduction, awareness campaigns, and youth engagement. Under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Rajasthan implemented a 60-day Tobacco Free Rajasthan Action Plan with widespread awareness programmes, oath-taking ceremonies, and school-level activities. The state topped the national rankings in the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2023 activities. The NTCP, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme running since 2007-08, aims to reduce tobacco use through effective implementation of COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003), awareness drives, cessation services, and curbing tobacco advertisements. The award underscores Rajasthan's commitment to public health and preventive healthcare and demonstrates effective state-centre coordination in controlling a major public health hazard responsible for over 13 lakh deaths annually in India.
Key facts
- Rajasthan won the Best Performance Award under NTCP 2024-25 from the Union Health Ministry.
- The state implemented a 60-day Tobacco Free Rajasthan Action Plan with widespread awareness drives.
- CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar led the tobacco control efforts.
- Rajasthan topped the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign across Indian states.
- Activities included oath-taking ceremonies, school awareness campaigns, and enforcement drives.
- The award recognises outstanding efforts in tobacco use reduction and youth engagement.
6-axis classification
Appears in these topics
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Under which national programme did Rajasthan win the Best Performance Award for 2024-25?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare awarded Rajasthan the Best Performance Award for 2024-25 under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), recognising its outstanding efforts in tobacco use reduction and awareness campaigns.
Source: First India / NHM Rajasthan
Frequently asked questions
Which award did Rajasthan win under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) 2024-25 and who conferred it?
Rajasthan won the Best Performance Award under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) 2024-25. The award was conferred by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in recognition of the state's outstanding tobacco control efforts.
What was the Tobacco Free Rajasthan Action Plan and how long did it run?
The Tobacco Free Rajasthan Action Plan was a state-wide campaign implemented for 60 days to reduce tobacco use. It included widespread awareness programmes, oath-taking ceremonies, school awareness drives, and enforcement activities led under CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar.
What is the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) and what is its primary objective?
The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched by the Government of India in 2007-08 during the 11th Five-Year Plan to create awareness, support COTPA implementation and help people quit tobacco use. It implements the provisions of COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003).
How did Rajasthan perform in the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign compared to other states?
Rajasthan topped the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign among all Indian states. The campaign focused on preventing tobacco use among young people through school-based awareness drives, pledge ceremonies, and targeted outreach programmes.
Who led Rajasthan's tobacco control efforts that earned the NTCP 2024-25 award?
Rajasthan's tobacco control efforts were led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar. Their leadership guided the 60-day action plan encompassing awareness, enforcement, and youth engagement initiatives across the state.
Was this useful?
Share corrections or missing exam angles with the editorial team.
Send feedback