Students taking a pledge to remain tobacco-free during the launch of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0 at Sacred Heart School, Mon, on October 28. (Photo Courtesy: NHM, Mon)
Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign launched across State
Kohima, October 28 (MExN): Nagaland has launched the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 4.0 across all the state, targeting a 50% increase in Tobacco-Free Village coverage and institutional compliance, a 20% increase in tobacco-control enforcement activities, and engagement of 30% of universities and colleges in the state.
The state-level launch was held at the Nagaland Institute of Allied and Healthcare (NIAH), Paramedical, Kohima, on October 28, with Dr Imotemsu, Director, Family Welfare, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoHW), attending as the special guest.
According to a press release from the DoHW, the 60-day campaign seeks to protect young people from traditional tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes and vapes. It is being implemented through public awareness, tobacco-free educational institutions and villages, enforcement of tobacco-control laws, social media engagement, and outreach to universities and colleges.
The campaign also targets at least 30 information, education and communication (IEC) events in each district. Dr Imotemsu stressed the need to intensify tobacco-control activities during the campaign period, strengthen inter-district coordination and assess progress against the targets.
Dr I Simon Sumi, State Nodal Officer, NTCP, delivered the keynote address, outlining the campaign strategies and highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco use, particularly among young people.
Meanwhile, the campaign was also launched in districts across Nagaland on October 28, bringing together stakeholders to discuss key tobacco-control issues, strategies for implementation and the way forward, alongside pledge-taking sessions to promote a tobacco-free society.
Dimapur: The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Dimapur, launched the campaign at Government Higher Secondary School, Burma Camp. Dr Esther Chophy Ngullie, District Nodal Officer, highlighted the objectives of protecting young people from tobacco use, encouraging cessation and strengthening enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. Khekali Y Sema, NPS, DCP Crime, Dimapur, formally launched the campaign and urged students to avoid addiction and adopt healthy lifestyles.
Mokokchung: The District Tobacco Control Cell launched the campaign at the College of Nursing. Dr K Tiasenla, District Nodal Officer, emphasised the challenges posed by tobacco use among young people and the role of educational institutions in promoting a tobacco-free generation. Dr Alemwabang Aier, Medical Superintendent, IMDH, Mokokchung, formally launched the campaign and encouraged students to become ambassadors of tobacco-free living.
Mon: The District Tobacco Control Cell launched the campaign at Sacred Heart School, Mon. E Nyeamying Konyak, Consultant, NTCP, outlined the focus on enforcement of COTPA, 2003, implementation of Tobacco-Free Educational Institution guidelines, expansion of the Tobacco-Free Villages initiative, and efforts to address e-cigarette and vape use. Pakon Phom, NCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mon, formally launched the campaign and urged students to resist peer pressure and promote healthy lifestyles.
The district-level programmes also featured awareness sessions and pledge-taking, with students and participants committing to remain tobacco-free and spread awareness among their peers.
What is Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0?
The Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0 is a 60-day initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Education, Government of India, aimed at protecting young people from traditional tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes and vapes.
Six key strategies
• Public awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco
• Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions
• Tobacco-Free Villages
• Enforcement of COTPA, 2003, and PECA, 2019
• Social media engagement
• Engagement with universities and colleges
Nagaland's campaign targets
• At least 30 information, education and communication (IEC) events per district
• 50% increase in institutional compliance and Tobacco-Free Village coverage
• 20% increase in enforcement activities
• Engagement of 30% of universities and colleges in the state.
