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Health
Una tops Himachal Pradesh with 110+ tobacco‑free villages
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 05 Nov 2026, 09:02 PM
👁 11
The Una district of Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the state’s leader, with more than 110 villages officially declared tobacco‑free.
Una district in Himachal Pradesh has been reported to lead the state in the number of villages that have attained tobacco‑free status, with the count exceeding 110 villages. The declaration follows the state's ongoing efforts to curb tobacco consumption in rural areas and is part of a broader public‑health drive.
Health officials say that declaring villages tobacco‑free helps reduce the prevalence of smoking‑related illnesses and encourages healthier lifestyles among residents. The initiative also aligns with national anti‑tobacco policies that aim to lower the burden of non‑communicable diseases.
While Una sets a benchmark, other districts in the state are working to replicate the model. Authorities plan to extend the tobacco‑free certification to additional villages in the coming months, hoping to create a ripple effect across Himachal Pradesh.
The achievement underscores the community‑level commitment required to achieve public‑health goals and highlights the role of local governance in enforcing tobacco‑control measures.
Health officials say that declaring villages tobacco‑free helps reduce the prevalence of smoking‑related illnesses and encourages healthier lifestyles among residents. The initiative also aligns with national anti‑tobacco policies that aim to lower the burden of non‑communicable diseases.
While Una sets a benchmark, other districts in the state are working to replicate the model. Authorities plan to extend the tobacco‑free certification to additional villages in the coming months, hoping to create a ripple effect across Himachal Pradesh.
The achievement underscores the community‑level commitment required to achieve public‑health goals and highlights the role of local governance in enforcing tobacco‑control measures.