Kohima May 31 (MExN): The World No Tobacco Day was observed at Civil Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima, under the theme “Gender and Tobacco with Emphasis on Marketing to Women” with Home Secretary, C.J Ponraj as the Chief Guest. Speaking at the 23rd Edition of the World Tobacco day, Home Secretary said, there is a freedom where one can stay out of tobacco addiction by realizing the havoc tobacco can cause to people.
Ponraj, while referring the theme, said we can response to the nefarious and manufacturers and inspite of government effort to cease these evil effects, smoking percentage is increasing higher as we are controlled by tobacco. The chief Guest called upon the medical department, to come up with strategy as the average of school going children are more than 50% and as tobacco are damaging the younger generations.
He also urged for moral intervention, beginning from church, Sunday school, schools and through Nagaland Baptist Church Council to teach and make aware to the students how harmful tobacco can cause. On Economic ground, Ponraj persuaded to the policy makers, not to give opportunity to retailers to root out the attitude, as there is a large increase in population which can be trained in cycle of eco-development and can fight at tender age, as children are the easiest source to strengthen to fight against tobacco. The chief Guest called upon the medical department to think together and encouraged the other department to take the issue to fight against tobacco.
Theme speaker, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) director Dr. Hotokhu Chishi said that the concept of World No Tobacco Day was initiated because millions of people die each year around the world owing to tobacco consumption and abuse. The day also aims to reduce the 5.4 million yearly deaths from tobacco related death problems and also aims to increase public awareness regarding hazards of industries and their trade. Director also stated that Women comprise about 20% of the world more than one billion smokers and data indicates from 151 countries out of which 7% of adolescence girls smoke cigarettes as opposed to 12% of adolescent boys.
Chishi also highlighted about the Tobacco consumption profile in Nagaland which can be mentioned below; Tobacco consumption 48%, Male tobacco users 68%, female tobacco users 28%, school children smoking 37%, with male 55% and female 18%, male school children smokeless from users 50% and female school children smokeless from users 33% adding that, he said Dimapur leads in Nagaland for tobacco consumption with Kohima standing second and Peren third in the list.
“More than 14% children between the age group 13-15 are addicted to tobacco across the world and more than 10 lakhs die in a year due to the use of tobacco as per 2010 census”. Hotokhu said. “As per government run hospitals report, in three years the total number of patients counted 99237 who got infected with the use of tobacco, and said we are generating burden to ourselves though we do not produce” stated Director.
He also described about World Health Organisation (WHO) appeal, which appeals to every family, Citizens, Nations, Government and Individuals to fight against Tobacco Menace and called upon the government around the globe to undertake immediate action.
It may be mentioned that “World tobacco day” will give overdue recognition to the importance of controlling the epidemic of tobacco among women. Earlier the programme was marked with presentation of awards, special number by Sulito Chishi. The function was chaired by Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission, T. Limsong and Bazo Kire pronounced vote of thanks.
