Kohima, May 11 (MExN): According to the reports made available during the first quarterly meeting of District Level Co-ordination Committee (DLCC) on Tobacco Control at DPDB Conference Hall Kohima on May 11, the tobacco consumption has decreased from 56.8% to 43.3%.
According to a DIPR report, Jt. Director Dental and SNO (NTCP), Health and Family Welfare, Dr. H. Hotokhu Chishi presenting on the achievement of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS- 2) 2015-16 mentioned that the State has made a significant achievement on the consumption of Tobacco products with a decrease percentage comparing to the last GATS-1 Survey report (2009-2010).
Another area of achievement was the high price of cigarette due to increase in taxation, which he hoped that users would decrease-average monthly expenditure on cigarette (daily smokers)- 689.6 to Rs. 1473.9 and average monthly expenditure on Bidi (daily smokers)-Rs 116.3 to Rs-265.5.
Dr. H. Chishi also pointed out that Nagaland state was the first state to conduct school oral health survey 2013-14 where tobacco use in school children under the age group of 8-13 years was recorded as follows- children with tobacco habits -28.3%, smokers -15% and buying tobacco products for parents was recorded at 41.2%.
On cancer status of Nagaland, Dr. H. Chishi informed that Nagaland state ranked the highest number of Nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer of head and neck) in the country with male - 15.3 % and female 10.8%.
He also informed that every year new cases of cancer have been detected with 454 recorded per year as per (population based cancer survey, ICMR 2012-2014). He suggested on no tobacco cultivation, production and supply and ban tobacco lobbyist. He further pointed out that to control tobacco consumption/users the two challenges -complacency /casual attitude and absence of pressure group should be focused.
The Deputy Commissioner and Chairman DLCC Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS appreciated on the informative presentation and lauded all the members and stakeholders for their commendable job and urged them to focus more on the drawbacks in order to achieve more in the future. He asked the GBs to check the parents in their respective colonies/wards not to send their children to buy tobacco products.
The DC also called upon the schools representatives present to stress on the ill effects of tobacco consumption /users in their respective schools and also the parents, NGOs, youth organizations, schools and student unions to collectively give efforts for follow up action in this regard.
Senior Dental Surgeon and DNO (NTCP), Dr. Arenla walling gave a presentation on the activities of District Tobacco Control Cell, Kohima from the month of October 2017 to March 2018. During the meeting six schools were declared Tobacco Free Schools where the DC and Chairman DLCC gave away the certificate to the schools.
The schools included - Government High School Botsa; Government Middle School Botsa; Baptist School Botsa; Christian School Botsa; Children Christian School Kohima Village and Vinyuzo School Upper Bayavu Kohima.
