Dignitaries and gathering take “Anti- tobacco pledge” during the World No Tobacco Day at G Rio School Kohima on May 31. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31
A pilot study recently conducted by the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC), Nagaland on tobacco product expenditure in Nagaland has indicated an annual expenditure of Rs 1,076.10 crore.
This was revealed by Nagaland’s Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema while addressing ‘World No Tobacco Day’ (WNTD) at G Rio School, Kohima.
Taking 75% of survey data, the pilot study stated that Nagaland annually spends Rs 150.31 core on Cigarettes, Rs 112.74 crore on Bidi, Rs 435.07 crore on Pan Masala with Tobacco and Rs 377.23 crore on Pan/ Tamul with Tobacco, for a total Rs 1076.10 crore.
As per the survey, average expenditure per person, per year in Nagaland on Manufactured Cigarettes indicated at Rs 45,360, Bidi- Rs 11,685.60, Pan masala with Tobacco-Rs 21,157.20, Kaka sada- Rs 6,710.40, Pan with Zarda- Rs 19,951.20 and Tamul with kala sada- Rs 22,118.40.
700 new cancer cases tobacco related
In Nagaland, 700 new cancer cases have been registered in hospital, mostly tobacco related cases, Sema claimed, adding that tobacco is the biggest cause of preventable deaths in the world and responsible for 8.2 million deaths globally and 1.3 million deaths in India.
In North-East India, 49 % of all cancer cases in men and 22 % in women are attributed to tobacco use, he said.
He further maintained that the State Government has taken prompt action in the recent past to control the use of tobacco products in the state.
To this end, 2684 schools in Nagaland have been declared as Tobacco Free Zone (TFZ) on April 14 with effect from May 1, 2023, he added.
Besides, all government hospitals, health care, health offices including directorate were made TFZ on January 23, w.e.f February 1.
On April 4, all private hospitals, health institutions have been declared as TFZ w.e.f April 11.
In this connection, the officer lauded the the field officers, Police personnels, Educational Institutions & Administration for prompt action.
The next plan is to declare all Government, Public offices, Institution as TFZ, he said.
Moreover, within a month, around 180 shops have been penalized, Sema informed, while Tobacco free home certificates have been awarded to 105 plus homes across Nagaland.
‘We need Food, Not Tobacco’
Meanwhile, Sema pointed out this year WNTD’s theme “We need food, not tobacco” aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops.
About 124 countries grow tobacco as a cash crop, covering an estimated of 3.2 million hectares of land and approximately 2 lakh hectares of land are cleared every year for growing of tobacco crop, he said.
The WHO has teamed up with other United Nations agencies to support farmers wishing to convert from growing tobacco to growing food, he added.
"By choosing to grow food instead of tobacco, we prioritise health, preserve ecosystems, and strengthen food security for all," he noted.
He said that there is a growing food crisis due to conflicts, wars, climatic change, and the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were 135 million people face acute food insecurity in 2019, but now it has increased to about 349 million an increase of 159% in just 4 years, he informed.
Later, Sema handed over certificates to 15 students from G Rio School on declaration of "Tobacco Free Home," an initiative of SNO, NTCP Nagaland.
Earlier, a topic on “Economic Impact of Tobacco Use” was highlighted by Linoka K Awomi, DTCC Consultant, NTCP.
The programme was chaired by Radhika Chetri, TGT, G Rio School. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Arenla Walling, Deputy Director & State Nodal Officer (National Tobacco Control Programme ), Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, who, later administered “Anti- tobacco pledge.”
