The Morung Express has been writing quite a lot of editorials on the topic of tobacco use and its ill effects, especially since Nagaland features prominently when it comes to concerns over its use on the health and well being of our population. The latest wake-up call, i.e. if we are indeed serious enough to listen and take note, is on the data provided as per the Global Tobacco Survey (GTS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW). Surprising as it may seem, the two Christian states of Mizoram and Nagaland have earned the dubious distinction of becoming the highest tobacco consuming states in the northeast. The overall data on prevalence of tobacco use in northeastern states show that next to Mizoram, which has tobacco consumption of 67% - including 40% in the smoking category and 41% in the smokeless category -Nagaland has a prevalence rate of 57 percent with 32% in the smoking category and 45% in the smokeless category. More specifically it has been observed that every second man and every third woman in the state is addicted to tobacco, and as per the Global Tobacco Survey (GTS), 69% men and 43% women are using tobacco. The figures were revealed during a press briefing recently by a high power delegation of ministry of health and family welfare (MHFW), who were in Kohima on a one-day visit. Not surprisingly, the delegation from the Centre also expressed serious concerns over the tobacco consumption, particularly gutka, which has been noted as “very, very high” in Nagaland. They also pointed out that Nagaland is among states with the highest burden of tobacco-related illness in the entire country and also among those with the highest incidence of lung cancer in the entire world, especially among women. The visiting team underlined that 57% of the population means that an estimated 2.5 lakh people in Nagaland are tobacco users.
Now the point is when such kind of studies are conducted and the data revealed, are we going to just sit back and forget as if nothing is wrong with the health of our population. Perhaps the Department of Health & Family Welfare should immediately prepare some kind of publicity material based on the GTS study and disseminate to all local churches so that the same can be relayed to the masses. Off course other platforms can also be used but we mentioned the church because of its wider reach and influence. Such kind of data should not be kept underneath the safe confines of the office files but should be used to bring about greater awareness and behavioral change in people. Unlike the fear associated with say HIV/AIDS, public perception about the threat posed to our health from tobacco use is misplaced, ignorant and plain stupid. Even civil society or the church does not exactly reprimand or take a harsh view about tobacco use. All these are barriers in our fight against the health hazards posed by tobacco use. Some States have already imposed ban on sale and consumption of tobacco (gutkha). Our State government, civil society and church must come up with a judicious response to the menace that is waiting to eat into the health and well being of our population especially the younger generation. This is no time to be complacent. Perhaps we can learn something from a proverb of the Dalai Lama: When asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said: “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health...”
