Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 28
In connection with the National Tobacco Control Programme in Nagaland and with a view to implement tobacco control laws effectively in the state, an Action Plan has been framed targeted at achieving tobacco-free state. The Action Plan was arrived at the state-level advocacy workshop on Implementation of Tobacco Control laws held here today at the Zonal Council Hall. The idea behind the formulation of action plan is to implement National Tobacco Control Act 2003, to reduce tobacco/cigarette/biddi smoking prevalence by 50% in the state by 2020, to reduce the prevalence rate of tobacco consumption by 50% in the state by 2020, to create tobacco-free schools, to reduce the mortality and morbidity of tobacco-related diseases and to achieve a tobacco-free state.
In order to create tobacco-free school, the Action Plan said that the State and District Tobacco Control cells will initiate various actions. The various steps to be initiated include training/capacity building for all school teachers, awareness campaign for students, painting and drama competitions related to tobacco control, and painting and drama competition related to ill-effects of tobacco. The Action Plan would also focus on banning/prohibition of sale of tobacco and tobacco products within 100 yards of school premises and also inclusion of ill-effects of tobacco and tobacco products in the elementary school curriculum.
Various departments like Home, Law & Justice, School Education, Health & Family Welfare, Transport, IPR, Industry, Agriculture, Excise, Taxes and Municipal Council will be directly or indirectly involved in tobacco control, the Action Plan stated. Capacity building/training will also be given to members of the State Monitoring Committee, District Monitoring Committee, State and District Tobacco Cell, all Medical Officers in the District Hospital/CHC/PHC/Sub-Centre, etc., health workers (GNM/ANM/ASHA), NGOs, civil societies, church leaders and other religious groups, legislators, bureaucrats, technocrats, municipals, chambers of commerce, VHC/SHG and Village Council, media, etc.
