Dr Arenla Walling and Dr Vezokholu Theyo with dental clinic proprietors after declaring 10 tobacco- free dental clinic in Kohima on May 31. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31
The District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) Kohima today declared 10 tobacco- free dental clinics in Kohima.
This declaration was made during the observance of World No Tobacco Day 2022 under the theme “Tobacco- Threat to our environment” at Paramedical Training Institute (PMTI), Kohima.
Those Tobacco- free clinics includes; City Dent Clinic, Kohima Dental Centre, Pru Dental Clinic, Tooth Craft Dental Clinic, Pristine Dental Clinic, Emerald Dental Clinic, Ivory Dental Clinic, Clover Dental Clinic, Vizo Dental Clinic and Dental House.
Primary Health Centre (PHC), Jakhama has also been declared as the first tobacco-free PHC in Kohima.
The declaration was led by Dr. Arenla Walling, District Nodal Officer (National Tobacco Control Programme) while Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kohima handed over certificate to them.
Dr Theyo said “This year, the World No Tobacco Day campaign calls on policy makers to make tobacco producers (industries) accountable for environment damage due to tobacco product waste.
She said shunning the use of tobacco will not only prevent fatal chronic diseases like cancer but also help the world inch closer to sustainable development goals.
She said the objective of the observance of World No Tobacco Day is to raise awareness about the harms of the use of tobacco in any form and negative health effects of exposure to passive smoking.
She said that more than eight million people were killed across the world every year due to tobacco use.
“If tobacco consumption continues at the current pace, this figure is expected to rise significantly by 2030. Such a situation would prevent the world from achieving the sustainable development agenda, which aims at reducing deaths from tobacco-related diseases by a third by 2030,” Dr. Theyo said.
‘Tobacco- threat to our environment’
Keneikiinu Zhotso of Loyola Higher Secondary School spoke on the theme of this year “Tobacco- threat to our environment.”
She said to win over Tobacco, it is imperative that the government comprehensively implement guideline for tobacco companies and also make a stricter regulation for its consumption.
She said that quitting tobacco will contribute to a healthier and happier planet where a billion people are less likely to die from the consequences of tobacco.
Meanwhile, in essay writing competition, Keneikiinu Zhotso from Loyola Higher Secondary School stood first position. Nouneno Rino from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Zubza and Jandeno Jami from Fernwood School bagged 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
In poster making competition, Thejaser Krose of Trinity School bagged first position while Besuvelu Tinyi of G. Rio School and Ashibo Longkumer of Mount Sinai Higher Secondary School stood 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Rosy Yhome, Senior Dental Surgeon, Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima while vote of thanks was proposed by Pelebeinuo, psychologist, DTCC Kohima.
