Tobacco use declining in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31

There has been a decline in tobacco usage in the State, according to Dr. Arenla Walling, District Nodal Officer, Kohima, National Tobacco Control Programme.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World No Tobacco Day observation in the State capital, she informed that Nagaland is now ranked 7th in the country in tobacco usage, a drop from 2nd.

43.3% of the state’s population use tobacco, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2 (2016-17).

In Kohima district, there are 82 tobacco free schools including 13 tobacco free colleges, orphanage -1, rehab centre- 2, villages- 9 and hospitals/clinics/nursing homes at 7.

‘Tobacco, in any form puts you at COVID-19 risk’
The District Administration & District Level Centre for Women-Mahila Shakti Kendra (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao) Phek urged the youths to avoid the use of tobacco and smoking as it can be fatal to health.

Preventing youth from tobacco and nicotine use is even more imperative now, as we wage war against the COVID-19, stated Vilenuo Kapu, Women Welfare Officer, DLCW, MSK Phek.

At this pandemic crisis it is even more hazardous to chew tobacco and spit as it can increase the spread of virus, it was added.
Further, the MSK Phek asked the public to watch video on “Smokeless Tobacco” by Dreamz Unlimited and sponsored by district administration & DLCW-MSK (BBBP), Phek.

Meanwhile, the district administration & DLCW-MSK (BBBP), Phek saluted all the frontline workers of COVID-19 pandemic.

GATS 2 (2017) NAGALAND STATUS

Tobacco user: 43.3 %
Smoking: 13.2 %
Smokeless: 39.0 %
2nd hand smoke at home: 67.6%
2nd hand smoke in office: 23.3%