Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 16
As part of its anti-tobacco drive, the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) put to flames seized tobacco and tobacco-based products in Dimapur on April 16. During the drive, which had begun in January this year, the DNSU had confiscated a sizeable quantity of tobacco-based substances from shops located in proximity to educational establishments. The seized products were burned today at a programme held at the DNSU office.
It had in attendance the District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Dr.C.Tetseo, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr.Antoly Suu and Food Safety Officer, Sendong Jamir.
Dr. Tetseo, while highlighting the high prevalence rate (at 57 percent) of tobacco use among Nagas, also expressed concern on the prevalence of tobacco abuse among school students. At this rate, Dr. Tetseo said that tobacco-related mortality will increase in the next 40 years.
Of the many schools in Dimapur district, only 45 schools are declared to be tobacco free, he said, while calling for schools to take greater responsibility to free students from tobacco.
Informing of the statutes in place in the country to check tobacco abuse, Dr. Tetseo said that there are laws warning of action against offenders. The amended Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 under Section (a) and (b) has laid down stringent punishment for those selling tobacco products or cigarettes to minors. Offenders could face jail term upto 7 years and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh against the earlier Rs. 200 penalty imposed under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, it was added, while stating that there is law prohibiting sale of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of any educational institution.
Section 4 of the ‘Cigarettes and other Tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 clearly prohibits smoking in public places. Any person can use the toll free number 1800110456 to inform of any offender, it was informed.
Deputy CMO, Dr. Antoly Suu suggested the idea of having anti-tobacco committees in schools.
