In Mokokchung, the 'smoke-free district HQ campaign' was launched under the initiative of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) by Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir. (Photo Courtesy: CMO office, Mokokchung)
Dimapur, August 17 (MExN): A ‘Smoke Free District Headquarters’ campaign was launched in the districts of Mokokchung and Tuensang on August 17.
According to a press release from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office Mokokchung, the campaign was launched under the initiative of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) by Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir in the presence of District Nodal Officer NTCP, Mokokchung, Dr Taliwaba Ao, Dental Doctors from IMDH and Run Mokokchung group at the Deputy Commissioner’s residence.
Chairing the programme, Consultant NTCP, Mokokchung, Nukshiwati Longchar highlighted about the objectives of the campaign on ban of smoking in public place and how second-hand smoke affects the non-smokers, especially women and children.
He emphasized on sensitizing the public through poster campaign at public places and to discourage smoking and also informed about activities planned through awareness campaign with different agencies and groups and enforcement of COTPA 2003 section 4 and 6 around Mokokchung Town.
DC and Chairperson District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC), Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir appreciated the initiative and assured that the campaign will be strongly implemented within the district, especially in all the government offices, banks and public conveyances.
He acknowledged that the battle against this abuse has been long, but assured that it will slowly gain momentum through the campaign for a better and healthier environment.
Meanwhile, in Tuensang, the launching programme for smoke-free Tuensang district HQ was held at DC’s conference hall, Tuensang on Tuesday.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant said that the nicotine present in the smoking and non smoking tobacco which is very addictive in nature and contains carcinogen which causes cancer which needs to be made aware among the general public. Smoking tobacco not only harms the primary consumer but also harms the non consumer secondary and tertiary individuals around the primary consumer, he said. Smoking tobacco destroys the respiratory system in humans and with the COVID-19 pandemic, those with respiratory problems can be a victim of it, he added.
According to a DIPR report, the DC also asked the Tobacco consumer control cell to expand the smoke-free district HQ campaign to the whole of the district and also to establish a habilitation centre for de-addiction of tobacco related substances.
SP Tuensang, Amit Nigam spoke on Section 4 of COTPA 2003 which bans smoking in public places and Section 6a and 6b of COTPA 2003 prohibiting selling of tobacco products to underage individuals and prohibition of selling tobacco products within 100 yards around the premises of educational institutions.
He also encouraged the citizens to cooperate with the police and also help give awareness to the public of COTPA 2003 so that police can enforce the law successfully.
Dr Ao Yanger, Jr Dental specialist highlighted the aims of the campaign.
Certificates were also presented to tobacco-free schools and villages which included St John Higher Secondary School, Akum Imlong School and Kuthur village respectively.
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