NTCP officers, Kohima ADC and others during the declaration of Chedema model Village as a tobacco free village on May 16. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 16
The District Tobacco Control Cell Kohima today certified Chedema Model Village as the eighth Tobacco free village under Kohima district.
With this, there will be no sale of tobacco products inside the village and smoking or chewing of tobacco will also henceforth be restricted inside the premises of any educational institution, office, community hall, library, bus stop and sports complex within the village jurisdiction.
Chedema model village lies around 7 km away from the state capital Kohima.
The formal declaration was made by Dr Hotokhu Chishi, state nodal officer for National Tobacco Control Programme and Additional Director, Health & family Welfare in a function held at Chedema Model village panchayat hall this morning.
He handed over the certificate to the village authority in the presence Kohima Additional Deputy Commissioner, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa and District Nodal officer (NTCP) Kohima, Dr Arenla Thong.
Dr Chishi appreciated the decision of the Chedema model village leaders for putting restriction on sale of tobacco products since 1972 within its jurisdiction. He urged upon the leaders to continue to create awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco and execute the tobacco free village declaration in letter and spirit.
Kohima ADC, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa urged the village leaders to stay united for all round development.
Since Chedema is a model village, she urged the villagers to adopt a congenial mechanism in different areas and set a good example for others to follow suit. She added that Chedema has the potential to become a plastic free or garbage free village as well.
Dr. John, SPO (AYUSH), Department of Health & Family Welfare also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, the function was chaired by Ketseizo Medom, Chairman, Chedema Model Village Council, while welcome address was delivered by Neipuzo Kiwe, former VCC.
Chedema Model village GB Pelhouvilie Medom provided a brief on the history of the village. Vote of thanks was proposed by VDB member, Seyievizo Medom.
