Bhubaneswar: The state government has declared the Lok Seva Bhawan premises a ‘tobacco-free zone’ to protect public health, ensure a clean and healthy environment, and safeguard employees and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco use. The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued a notification prohibiting smoking, tobacco consumption, and spitting within the Lok Seva Bhawan premises. The notification said tobacco use is a major cause of several non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory ailments. It also noted that tobacco use accounts for around 13 lakh deaths annually in India. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the initiative was aimed at making Lok Seva Bhawan a clean, healthy and tobacco-free workplace while strengthening the objectives of Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, efforts to strengthen the campaign against tobacco consumption are being intensified. We remain committed to providing our future generations with a healthy life and the right message. Our efforts towards complete abstinence from tobacco use will continue in the days ahead,” Mahaling said. As per the notification, smoking, consumption of tobacco products and spitting tobacco are completely prohibited within the Lok Seva Bhawan premises. Any violation of the provisions will be treated as a punishable offence under the law.
