The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded the Rajasthan government’s Medical & Health Department for its achievements in the field of tobacco control.

The department’s Additional Chief Secretary, Rohit Kumar Singh, has received the award at a function to mark World No Tobacco Day in New Delhi on Friday.The Health Department of the State is the only government body in the country which will be awarded for its tobacco-free initiatives.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has praised the department’s efforts for tobacco control, which, he said, were being acknowledged internationally, and affirmed that the State government would keep striving to accomplish the goal of a “healthy Rajasthan”.

The Medical & Health Department launched several campaigns against tobacco consumption at places such as schools, colleges, police stations and government offices during 2018-19.

As part of the tobacco-free initiatives, 1.13 crore people took a pledge against tobacco consumption at the events held in 1.56 lakh government institutions on January 30 this year, marking Martyrs’ Day.