States » EastPosted at: Sep 17 2026 10:14PM


Odisha secretariat premises declared tobacco-free zone

Bhubaneswar, Sep 17 (UNI) The Odisha government has declared the Lok Seva Bhavan premises a “tobacco-free zone”, banning smoking, tobacco consumption and spitting of tobacco products on the state secretariat campus.
The Health and Family Welfare Department issued a notification to this effect, stating that the move was aimed at protecting employees and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco use and promoting a clean and healthy workplace.
Violations of the ban will be treated as punishable offences under the law, the notification said.
The department said tobacco use is a major cause of several non-communicable diseases, including cancer, heart disease and lung disorders. It cited an estimated 1.3 million tobacco-related deaths annually in India.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the initiative would help make Lok Seva Bhavan a clean, healthy and tobacco-free workplace and strengthen the objectives of the Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat and Nasha Mukt Bharat campaigns.
He said the government would continue its efforts to discourage tobacco use and promote healthier lifestyles among people, particularly future generations.
The notification forms part of the state’s measures to create tobacco-free public spaces and raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco consumption.
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