Alder College students sensitized on effects of tobacco

Students of Alder College, Kohima taking a pledge during the awareness programme on effects of tobacco held on November 13.

Kohima, November 17 (MExN): Awareness programme on ‘Harmful effects of tobacco & COPTA Act of 2003’ was organized by Alder College Kohima in collaboration with National Tobacco Control Program on November 13.

The resource person was Dr Arenla Walling, District Nodal Officer. Dr Walling said that Tobacco is consumed in two forms: smoke and chew. In whatever form tobacco is used, it does not produce any good result for the user.

She added that tobacco affects the whole system of human body: It causes cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory ailments, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), birth defects, brain shrinkage, blindness, bronchitis, stroke, reduce memory, cognitive dysfunction, impotence and wastage of hard earned money.

Tobacco Control Act was further discussed, where Dr Walling discussed on some sections Act: Section 4 deals with ban of smoking in public places which include – government building, public transport, hotels, restaurants, parks, hospitals, school, libraries, auditorium, open auditorium, railway station, work places, cinema halls, discotheques, pubs, airport lounge & prison etc.

Section 5 talks about ban on all forms of direct and indirect advertisement of tobacco products, section 6 deals with ban on sale of tobacco products to and by minors, ban on sale of tobacco and tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions. Section 7 talks on depiction of specified health warnings on tobacco products and packages. After discussion all the students took a pledge not to use tobacco in their lives, and also make the college compound a tobacco free zone.