Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31
Expressing concern at Nagaland’s rank as the 2nd highest tobacco consumer in India, the need to make Nagaland free from tobacco was stressed during the observance of World No Tobacco Day here today under the theme ‘Tobacco- A Threat to Development.’ 57% of the state consumes tobacco with, of which 31.5% indulge in smoking and 45.3% indulge in smokeless tobacco.
“There is a great need to create awareness and control of tobacco consumption at all levels—homes, schools, public places, working places, office etc, to avoid untimely deaths, sufferings and diseases,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu. “We can improve our health and economy by utilizing the amount used for consumption of tobacco.”
Stating that higher cancer cases in Nagaland are attributed to tobacco consumption, Nukhu stressed on the need to create more awareness. Nukhu felt that emphasis should be given to eradicate tobacco flow in Nagaland. “This is possible since there is no cultivation, no production and processing in our state.”
He also stressed on the need to encourage all schools, colleges and educational institutions to make ‘Tobacco Free Campuses’.
Kohima Deputy Commissioner, Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, in his address called for restricting sale of tobacco products to minors in all wards of Kohima. It is very important for parents, teachers and other community stakeholders to make sure that they give the right kind of information in all social fields, he added.
Ambassador for Tobacco Smoke Free Kohima, Sievituo Solo meanwhile informed that his team will be collaborating with the Department of Health & Family Welfare to create more awareness across the state and reach out to the different groups. He also wanted the department to focus on physical activities by organizing a run programme so that the people can run together for health and release stress, thereby developing inner strength.
Sharing her success story, Rita Angami urged others to take an oath to quit tobacco, stay healthy and fight together to make Nagaland a land “free of tobacco.” So far there are 133 tobacco free schools, 15 tobacco free colleges and 7 tobacco free villages in the state.
