State still the highest user of pan masala
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31
Statistically, there has been significant decrease in overall tobacco usage in Nagaland, informed Dr Arenla Walling, District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme, Kohima.
Speaking at the World No Tobacco Day 2018 here under the theme ‘Tobacco and Heart Diseases,’ she informed that Nagaland’s status from being the second highest consumer of tobacco (56.8%) in the country has significantly improved and moved down to seventh rank (43.3%) in NE India and eight position in the country. This is according to data from a recent study conducted by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).
Positive changes in Nagaland indicated that the current smoking rate has changed from 31.5% to 13.2% and current smokeless tobacco use has changed from 45.37 % to 39%. Nagaland however still has the highest use of pan masala with tobacco at 21%. This includes 24% men and 18% women who use pan masala.
Referring to World No Tobacco Day activities in Kohima today, Walling said that the Kohima Deputy Commissioner, who is also Chairman of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC), has issued a notification, banning sale of tobacco products today in Kohima to mark the observation of the day.
Other activities included a walkathon jointly organised with the Kohima District Legal Services Authority (DLSA); an anti-tobacco Slogan writing competition organised in three schools; six enforcement teams (North and South Block) went for checking under the guidelines laid down by COTPA 2003; and observance of the day in all the tobacco free educational institutes.
The District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), Kohima conducted 224 awareness programmes on ‘Harmful effects of tobacco & COTPA 2003’ in schools, colleges and teaching Institutes. It also conducted 12 essay, painting and slogan competitions in various schools in order to spread more awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco.
45 training events were also organized for teachers, health workers, enforcement officers, shopkeepers, hotel managers, head of educational institutes and GBs. Meanwhile, 17 community sensitization programmes were also organized in churches, fellowships, vacation bible schools and youth camps. Walling added that enforcement officers with their squad and DTCC team organized checking, which is implied under Section 4 and 6(a)(b) of COTPA 2003. Defaulters are fined and the tobacco products are confiscated.
She said the Tobacco Cessation Centre (TCC) was also set up in Naga Hospital Kohima where patients are given counselling, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and Smokerlyzer device is used to test the contents of carbon monoxide among smokers.
The patients are referred by doctors from different OPDs in the hospital, while some patients voluntarily come and seek help from the counselling centre.
Currently, there are 81 Tobacco Free educational institutes in Kohima. Besides, three villages- Gariphema, Jotsoma and Khonoma under Kohima district were declared as tobacco free village. 24 Dental Clinics were also declared as Tobacco Free Dental Clinics.
Tobacco and heart disease
Speaking on the theme ‘Tobacco and heart disease,’ Dr Vanlalruati Nyuthe stated a decreasing trend of smoking is seen in educated and urban populations, whereas there is increasing trend in rural and less educated populations. She cautioned that 40% of cigarette smokers will die prematurely due to smoking unless they are able to quit.
Referring to cardiovascular diseases associated with Tobacco, Nyuthe said 20%-30% of Coronary Artery Disease are attributable to smoking. 50% of Aortic Aneurysm are attributed to smoking, while 90% of Peripheral Vascular Diseases in the non-diabetic population are attributed to smoking. 10% of Hemorrhagic and ischemic CVA are also due to smoking. She added that the presence of other risk factors accentuates the undesirable effect of smoking on heart diseases.
Talking about the benefits of smoking cessation, Nyuthe said it reduces the risk of a second coronary event after 6-12 months of cessation and rates of first Myocardial Infarction (MI), and death from coronary diseases decline within the first few years of cessation.
After 15 years of abstinence, the risk of new Myocardial Infarction (MI ) or death from coronary events in former smokers is similar to that for those who have never smoked, she added.
Dr. Nchumbemo Ezung, state nodal officer NCD also spoke on the occasion.
