The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab, Sibin C, has declared all Polling Booths in the state to be tobacco-free for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The use of cigarettes, bidi, and other tobacco products will be prohibited in all polling booths.
He stated that the Presiding Officer of each polling booth has been nominated as the Nodal Officer to ensure the Tobacco-Free status at the respective polling booths.
This significant step underscores the Office of CEO's commitment to promoting public health and creating a safe and healthy environment for voters. The aim of declaring polling booths tobacco-free is to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke exposure and encourage a healthier lifestyle among the people. This initiative also aligns with broader public health campaigns and legislative efforts to reduce tobacco use and its associated health risks including Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Lung Disease, Blindness, etc.