Shimla: In a significant step towards strengthening emergency medical services in the State Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu along with Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil flagged off 26 new advanced life support ambulances adding to the already existing fleet 241 of National Ambulance Service-108 (NSA).The Chief Minister also launched Tobacco Free Youth Campaign from his official residence Oak Over here today.
These ambulances are equipped with 19 life-saving healthcare equipments, including transport ventilators, ECG machines, emergency ambu bags, oxygen cylinders and blood pressure monitoring machines. The medical technicians for emergency medical care will be available 24X7 with these ambulances.
These ambulances were being deployed at all the government medical college hospitals, district hospitals, civil hospitals and other remote locations for the patients during emergencies. The Chief Minister said that the government was continuously striving to strengthen the health sector and world-class infrastructure was being created in the health institutions. These new advanced life support ambulances will certainly improve healthcare services.
Congratulating the health department for Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign for its success, Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh was a leading state in the field of public health across the country. It is another important initiative of the state government to protect youth from the ill-effects of tobacco besides other psychotropic drugs. The campaign will run for 60 days, till 8th December 2025 with special focus on awareness, prevention, and strict enforcement of tobacco control laws which prohibits smoking in public places, bans tobacco advertising, sales to minors, and requires warnings on product packaging.
He said that tobacco kills more than 1.35 million people in India every year and causes serious illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and lung problems.
The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to completely eliminate all forms of tobacco uses including e-cigarettes and hookah bars. The police and flying squads will conduct continuous campaigns to ensure compliance with the complete ban on hookah bars and e-cigarettes. The state government has issued clear instructions to regulate tobacco shops, enforce vendor licensing rules, and reduce the number of outlets in cities and villages.
He directed all Deputy Commissioners, departments and local bodies to ensure the success of this campaign and make every school and village tobacco-free. He stated that all schools, colleges and universities are required to strictly adhere to the “Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions Guidelines.” There should be no sale, use, or advertising of tobacco within or around the institutions. He added that the Health department was providing free tobacco cessation services in medical colleges and district hospitals. Additionally, counseling services are available at 109 ‘Naye Disha Centers’ to help people quit tobacco and move toward a healthy life. He urged all sections of society to make this campaign a success.
He also administered the oath of awareness to abstain from tobacco related products.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, MLA Sanjay Awasthi, Mayor Surender Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Secretary Health M. Sudha Devi, Director Information and Public Relations Rajiv Kumar and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
