Dignitaries with others during World No Tobacco Day on May 31 at New Sendenyu village.
Kohima, May 31 (MExN): World No Tobacco Day was observed across Nagaland under the theme ‘Protecting children from tobacco industry interference’ on May 31. This years’ celebration was held there to honour and encourage the grassroot movement. World No Tobacco Day is celebrated every year on May 31 to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and encourage people who are addicted to get rid of the toxic and addictive substance.
‘We have moral responsibility to protect our children’
Tseminyu: The State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) under National Tobacco Control programme observed World No Tobacco Day at New Sendenyu village in Tseminyu district on May 31.
In keynote address, Dr Meribeni Odyuo, Director Dental, Directorate of Health &Family Welfare, Nagaland said, “we have a moral responsibility to protect our children.”
We need to educate children on the dangers, enforce strong tobacco control policy, engage people at all levels, complete ban on tobacco and youth advocacy, he said.
Stressing on the need to make tobacco free environment, she urged the students to stay free from tobacco.
Dr Arenla Walling, Joint Director and State Nodal Officer (NTCP) H&FW, Nagaland highlighted the Tobacco Free village and School campaign and declared New Sendenyu Village as Tobacco Free Village and GPS New Sendenyu and Binzen Pre- School as Tobacco Free Schools during the event.
Ruokuosetuo Tetso, EAC (Tsogim), Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Tseminyu, highlighted the COTPA 2003 laws especially section 6 a & b. Juvenile justice act section 77 and FSSAI 2011 Act.
He also warned against use of e- cigarette. Shewsenle Kent, president of the Mothers Association, New Sendenyu Village shared the journey of the Village towards tobacco free status.
In 2017, talaab and alcohol was banned by mothers association. In 2018, during the election, house- to- house and car checking was initiated.
The programme was chaired by Asenuo Kemp, chairman of the school management committee while vote of thanks was proposed by Linoka K Awomi, DTCC Consultant NTCP.
Gariphema designated as ‘Best Performing Tobacco free village’
Kohima: Gariphema village of Kohima district was designated and declared as the Best Performing Tobacco free village on World No Tobacco Day 2024 held at TM Government Hr Sec School, Kohima on May 31 organised by the District Tobacco Control Cell, stated a DIPR report.
Additional Director, Higher Education Dr K Nishena Nekha who graced the programme as the special guest emphasised on the dangers of using tobacco and to raise awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco and the importance of tobacco free programmes. He encouraged the students to read newspapers or magazines which he said, will enable us to keep updated. He exhorted the students to learn good habits at early age to combat tobacco use, and how individuals worldwide can assert their right to health and healthy living to protect future generations.
Senior Resident BDS, MDS, Nagaland Institute of Medical Science & Research, Dr Thungbeni Ngullie spoke on the theme ‘Protecting Children from tobacco industry interference’. She mentioned that tobacco consumption, in any form, is extremely unhealthy for the body. It can lead to cancer and other diseases. Active smoking can lead to painful death. Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoking, is equally unhealthy. She said tobacco use, whether through smoking, sniffing, or chewing, can be devastating for your health. Highly addictive, its long-term use can raise the risk of heart illnesses, respiratory diseases, and cancer, among other chronic conditions, she added.
Meanwhile, results of the essay writing competition held in commemoration of World No Tobacco day 2024 was also declared. Neha Devi of Class 9, GHS, Forest Colony was awarded the 1st position, 2nd by Khriezobeinuo Chatsu, Class 10 from Dr N Kire GHS and the 3rd by Savelii Ringa of Class 10, TM GHSS.
‘25% of cancers caused by tobacco’
Mon: District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) National Tobacco Control Programme, Mon District organised World No Tobacco Day at Sacred Heart School, Mon on May 31.
Deputy Commissioner Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS graced the celebration as guest of honour. He pointed out that there is nothing good in tobacco, but still it exists in society. “The world is running by the market organization, demand and supply. It depends on your perspective; choose what is good for you and selecting a friend is a very important factor,” he said. He encouraged them to choose their destiny wisely and do not let the industrial world deceive you. He encouraged the people who received certificates to commit to what they have decided today.
Theme speaker Dr Aman Konyak, SMO, District Hospital Mon spoke on how tobacco affects health. He pointed out that 25% of cancers are caused by tobacco. Tobacco kills mental, physical and financial aspects of our lives. He also said that there are many digital, social media and advertisements to attract the young people. Therefore, he encouraged them to prevent and never taste it. Asserting that health is wealth, he said if you are healthy, you have everything. He also appealed to spread the message of the day to the family, friends and society.
Dr MH Daniel, Chairman of the Sacred Heart School, Mon in his welcome speech said that the world is celebrating World No Tobacco Day every year, giving more importance to health, raising the awareness of tobacco. Choose a tobacco free world.
Dr Esther Chophy Ngullie, District Nodal Officer National Tobacco Control Programme, Mon chaired the Programme. She said that there are 53 Tobacco Free Homes in the District. Eight Schools were declared, Tobacco Free School on this World No Tobacco Day. As part of the programme, poster competition was also held earlier. The winners of the poster competition were- Sangti E Konyak, Class 8, from Christ King School Mon, Pangteih L Konyak, Class 12 from KHSS Mon, Hamkai Konyak Class 5, from Eastwood School Mon bagged first, second and third respectively. The programmed concluded by reading out the plaque, World No Tobacco Day.
‘Adapt a healthy lifestyle free from tobacco’
Kiphire: At Kiphire the World No Tobacco Day was observed at District Hospital Conference Hall on May 31, organised by the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), Kiphire with students from different schools.
EAC Kiphire, Kudazo Swuro, graced the occasion as the special guest. In his speech, he spoke about how tobacco has been affecting our lives, and shared about his concerns related to health and society. He challenged the gathering present to adapt a healthy lifestyle free from tobacco.
Dr Wekhrou Mero, junior Dental surgeon, DHK delivered on the theme exposition, while Dr Mero shared the statistics and the risks associated with tobacco to our health, both physically and mentally. She shared how tobacco companies are improvising their marketing strategies to lure young people to use Tobacco.
Vithalietou Kire, OC, Police Station and Flying Squad NTCP spoke about the “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003”. He shared about his experience, peer pressures during teenage years, the ill effects of tobacco and also encouraged everyone to live a tobacco free life.
During the program, certificate and prizes were distributed to the students who won the painting and essay competition held on May 29 conducted by the NTCP.
Four Schools from Kiphire Town were declared as Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) and were awarded certificate for the same.
Earlier, Kedorianuo Sirie, Clinical Psychologist DMHP chaired the program, Alison Sangtam, President, Baptist Pastors fellowship Kiphire Town invoked God’s blessing into the gathering. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Nungotso Vero, Nodal Officer NTCP where he thanked all the Schools for actively participating in the programme.
Tobacco usage alarmingin Nagaland
Dimapur: World No Tobacco Day 2024 was observed by District Tobacco Cell, Department of Health & Family Welfare Dimapur with the students of Government Higher Secondary School, Chümoukedima at Chakhro Public Organization Hall, Chümoukedima on May 31.
Special guest Veni Vese, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chümoukedima stated that tobacco use is assumed as an epidemic due to its public health risk that causes millions of deaths and illness. Tobacco uses not only threatens life but is also a cause of severe economic and social burden. He mentioned that in India, “tobacco usage is more prevalent among people of the lower socioeconomic status; making it second largest consumer of tobacco in the world.”
He stated that even in Nagaland it is alarming to learn that the number of children consuming tobacco and tobacco products is very high. Factors such as peer pressure and curiosity play important roles in the age of 13-15 years children, some becoming regular users. He further went on to sensitise the students of India’s role and efforts in controlling tobacco usage and highlighted the provisions of COTPA Act 2003. Strict observation of the Act, prohibiting easy access to tobacco for children, and intensive awareness campaign are some of the ways to curb this menace.
Dr Japheth Yepthomi, District Hospital Dimapur gave a presentation, wherein, he highlighted the tobacco usage scenario in Nagaland highlighting that our state is the third highest tobacco consumer in the India. He sensitised the students on the influence and their tactics used by tobacco industries on children and the effects of tobacco on their health. He also deliberated on how to live a tobacco free life and the role of the youth in the fight against tobacco.
Dr Chekroshuyi Tetseo, Retired Director (Dental) H&FW Nagaland, guest of honour in his exhortation speech sensitized the students that tobacco industry includes tobacco farmers, manufacturers, sellers, retailers, smugglers of tobacco products, and even lawyers who protects people involved in tobacco menace. Tobacco industry targets young people to ensure continuous flow of consumers, to replace those who died of tobacco usage or those who quit tobacco use by ensuring easy access to tobacco products and making tobacco usage appealing.
The programme was chaired by Dr Chubalemla, PGT, GHSS Chümoukedima and the welcome address was delivered by Karen Yepthomi, Principal, GHSS Chümoukedima. Earlier in the programme, Dr. N. Moa Jamir, DNO, NTCP Dimapur also presented the keynote address. Winners of Debate, Essay Writing, and Poster Making Competitions along with Consolation winners were awarded with Cash prizes and citations. All students and teachers were presented with customized pen to mark the day. Anti-Tobacco Pledge was taken by all the participating students and teachers of GHSS Chümoukedima.
Similar World No Tobacco Day was also observed in Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) Hospital with theme speakers Dr Clement Momin, MS CIHSR and ENT Specialist, Dr Shirley, Oncologist, Dr Khrutsozo, Oncologist, Dr Vishala Oncologist, and Dr Abigail Resu, Oncologist. Participating schools were Hope Academy, Shemrock School, Grace Christian Mission School, Highland Hall Hr Sec School, and Great Commission School. Poster painting competition was the highlight of the programme.
World No Tobacco Day was also simultaneously observed at Old Showba PM-Govt, Middle School organized by HWC Old Showba and at Govt Primary School Xekiye organised by HWC Khehokhu.
Longleng: District Tobacco Control Cell, Longleng District observed World No Tobacco Day at Government High School Namching, Longleng on May 31. A press release by Media Officer, CMO Longleng office stated that during the program Dr Nichukholie Vupru District Nodal Officer, NTCP, Longleng in his presentation emphasised on the various forms of advertising and deceptive marketing tactics adopted by the Tobacco Companies to lure and target young potential consumers.
The students were sensitised on the harmful effects of tobacco which are inevitable in whatever form tobacco is consumed. He also encouraged and cautioned the students not to be victims of the advertisement presented through social media platforms about electronic tobacco products like e-cigarette.
The programme was chaired by B Ponghok, Headmaster GHS Namching and special song was presented by the students.
