Chandigarh: Haryana has recorded remarkable achievements under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) during the first two quarters of the financial year 2025–26, reinforcing its commitment to creating a tobacco-free society through effective enforcement, awareness generation, cessation services and community participation.
Sharing the achievements, Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Haryana, Dr. Sumita Misra, said that Haryana has emerged as one of the leading States in tobacco control, with 12,865 Educational Institutions declared Tobacco-Free under the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines. She further stated that the State has secured the second position in the country in terms of the number of tobacco control pledges under the National Tobacco Control Programme, reflecting widespread public participation and strong inter-departmental coordination. She added that the Government is also making rapid progress towards creating Tobacco-Free Villages, with 1,128 villages already declared tobacco-free, demonstrating Haryana’s commitment to protecting future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
She said that stringent enforcement of tobacco control laws remains a priority of the Health Department. During the reporting period, 3,848 violators were challaned under Section 4 of COTPA, 2003, resulting in the collection of ₹1.82 lakh in fines. In addition, enforcement agencies registered six cases under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, seizing 33 electronic cigarette stocks. She further informed that Tobacco Cessation Centres, functioning in all District Hospitals and 17 Medical/Dental Colleges, provided counselling and treatment services to 20,414 tobacco users, helping them quit tobacco through professional counselling and pharmacotherapy.
State Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme, Haryana, Dr. Brahmdeep Singh, said that extensive awareness activities have played a significant role in achieving these milestones. During the first half of the financial year, 13,524 educational institutions were evaluated, over 10,500 tobacco-free pledge sessions were organised, 4,255 school rallies and 4,633 awareness competitions were conducted across the State. He added that under the Tobacco-Free Village initiative, 1,444 Gram Sabha meetings, 2,247 awareness activities, and the constitution of 1,002 Village Level Coordination Committees have strengthened community participation. The programme has also maintained an extensive digital outreach through social media platforms, ensuring continuous public engagement on tobacco control.
The Health Department reiterated its commitment to further strengthening enforcement, expanding cessation services and promoting tobacco-free environments across educational institutions, villages and public places, thereby contributing towards a healthier and tobacco-free Haryana.
