Odisha Launches Year-Long Anti-Tobacco Drive on World No Tobacco Day

Odisha tobacco awareness campaign

Bhubaneswar, May 31, ( OT Webdesk)–Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has set the stage for an ambitious, yearlong anti-tobacco and drug abuse awareness campaign. The initiative, launched on World No Tobacco Day, aims to educate citizens on the health risks associated with tobacco consumption and drug abuse while encouraging a healthier lifestyle.


Speaking at a convention hall in Lok Seva Bhavan, Majhi emphasised that tobacco-related deaths claim nearly 1.4 million lives annually in India, accounting for 10% of all deaths nationwide. He reiterated that awareness is the only true weapon against tobacco addiction, stressing that every individual saved from addiction is a life saved.

The campaign will unfold across four distinct phases, spanning almost an entire year:

  • Phase 1: May 31 to June 26, 2025 – Initial outreach efforts to inform the public.
  • Phase 2: June 26 to August 15, 2025 – Expanded community engagement and educational programs.
  • Phase 3: October 2, 2025 – A special push coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.
  • Phase 4: December 25, 2025 to January 15, 2026 – Final efforts to reinforce the message of a tobacco-free Odisha.

The Chief Minister called upon citizens, particularly the youth, to pledge their commitment to a tobacco-free life. He also urged communities to stand against illicit liquor and drug consumption, highlighting the state’s proactive enforcement measures, including strengthening Odisha’s Special Task Force (STF) to curb illegal trade.

Odisha’s Excise Department, Home Affairs, and the Bureau of Narcotics Control are now actively collaborating to tighten regulations and enforce stricter penalties on offenders. Majhi hinted at an imminent policy overhaul, aimed at toughening laws against illicit alcohol and tobacco trade while reinforcing public health protections.

Dignitaries attending the event included Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, MLA Babu Singh, and renowned sand artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik, who pledged their support for the mission. Pattnaik, serving as Brand Ambassador for Odisha’s Anti-Drug Campaign, encouraged every household to promote awareness and contribute to building a healthier, addiction-free society.

The awareness initiative is Odisha’s largest-ever public health campaign, and Majhi’s government has vowed to take it into every household. As the program unfolds, Odisha’s resolve against tobacco and drug addiction grows stronger—paving the way for a safer and healthier future for generations to come.