Dimapur, August 12 (MExN): Dr. C Tetseo, District Oral Health Officer & Nodal Officer for National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Dimapur has highlighted that one million people die every year in India due to tobacco consumption and Nagaland has the second highest prevalence rate of tobacco use in the country.
Speaking at the anti tobacco awareness programme organised by Salesian College of Higher Education (SCHE), Dimapur on August 12, Dr. Tetseo stated that tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used entirely as intended. Some tobacco products contain nicotine and carcinogens which in turn cause cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, dental and oral diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, buerger disease, osteoporosis, and birth defects, it was pointed out. In his take home message, Tetseo exhorted to stay away from tobacco so as to live long life, be free from its related diseases and live a better dignified human life.
The other resource person of the programme was Medongunuo Pienyü, Social Worker (NTCP). Dr. Fr. Policarp Xalxo, Principal of SCHE, thanked the resource persons and exhorted all the students to sensitize the people about the harmful effects of the use of tobacco. At the end of the session, 250 students and faculty of SCHE took a pledge to say ‘No’ to tobacco products and say ‘Yes’ to good health and healthy habits. In view of making tobacco free campus, hoardings were put up and anti-tobacco committee was formed.
