Student ambassadors for tobacco free home shows their certificate and stickers which was presented to them at the meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) under National Tobacco Control Programm (NTCP) on June 14 at Zunheboto. (Photo Courtesy: DIPR)
DIMAPUR, JUNE 14 (MExN): The ‘Tobacco Free Home Campaign’ which is initiated by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland is seeing positive progress as at least 44 homes were declared as tobacco free home in Zunheboto.
The ambassadors for the tobacco free home are students from Olympic Hr Sec School, Immanuel Hr Sec School, Cornerstone Hr Sec School, St Anthony School and Seven Home Schools. Dr Easter, Dentist, district hospital, Zunheboto who is also the nodal officer of NTCP Zunheboto said this campaign was initiated so as to empower the students to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco to their family members.
She stated this while addressing the meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) under National Tobacco Control Programm (NTCP) on June 14 at DC conference hall. Dr Easter also stated that Nagaland is the first state to start such a campaign.
Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto, Rahul Bhanudas Mali, in his short speech said that use of tobacco will give pleasure only for a short period of time but it will have a cascading effect later on in the forms of lungs cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer etc.
He therefore urged the students to be committed in their no tobacco vow and also asked them to advice family members and elders not to use tobacco in front of them as they will also be affected even if they do not use it.
He also asked the Zunheboto Chamber Of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI) to inform the shopkeepers not to sell any tobacco products within 100 yards of the school premises and that if caught for the third time, then their trade license will be cancelled. The DC also asked the DEO to make sure that all the schools both private and government have at least one CCTV installed in the school premises.
Superintendent of Police Zunheboto Vishal encouraged the students to act like a star and help and show the way to friends on not using tobacco by telling them about the life span being cut due to use of tobacco.
He also requested the students to advice the elders not to use tobacco as the people seldom listens to law enforcement agencies but if the youngsters advises them they might feel embarrassed and give up using tobacco.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police gave away certificates and tobacco free home stickers to 44 students.
