Dimapur, April 14 (MExN): The Governor of Nagaland has declared all Government and Private Educational Institutions in the State of Nagaland as Tobacco Free with effect from May 1, 2023.
Informing this in a notification, Y Kikheto Sema IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare said that considering the increasing trend of tobacco use among the youths as indicated by the recent Global youth Tobacco survey 2019 which shows that 43 % of school children between the age group 13-15 years in the State are tobacco users, it is the bounden duty of the State Government to strengthen Tobacco Control Laws to reduce easy accessibility of tobacco products to children and to protect future generation from the full impact of Tobacco epidemic.
In order to strengthen the enforcement, the Governor has authorised police personnel from the rank of Head Constable, Teachers of Educational institutions to act as enforcement officer for implementation of Section 6 (b) of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce) Acts 2003) within their jurisdiction, Kikheto added.
He also reiterated that Section 6 (b) of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce) Acts 2003 prohibits sale of Tobacco products within 100 metres of educational institutions.
