State Level Co-ordination Committee members of National Tobacco Control Programme held its 1st quarterly meeting on Saturday under the chairmanship of Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Nagaland.
Members and representatives from Home, Police, School Education, Youth Resources and Health departments attended the meeting held at H&FW department.
The chairman acknowledged the importance role played by the Police and School Education Department in carrying enforcement and awareness activities. He also requested all departments to do what is possible to protect younger generation from tobacco addiction.
Dr Arenla Walling, State Nodal Officer, NTCP gave a brief presentation on the current scenario of Tobacco use in the State and ongoing NTCP activities.
The members viewed the data of tobacco consumption seriously as 43% of school children between the age group of 13-15 years in the state are tobacco users (GYST-4, 2019). The members also discussed about the interreference of Tobacco Industry engaging with departments/organizations.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
The following agenda were adopted during the meeting.
1) To constitute empowered committee to monitor tobacco industry interference in the state in line with WHO FCTC Article 5.3. No department or organization will be allowed to interact with tobacco industry except through the Empowered committee.
2) To strengthen tobacco free educational institution campaign and the School Education Department and Police Headquarter will give instruction to all districts, as head constables and above in state police and the teachers in all educational institutions are now authorized as enforcement officers by the state government.
3) Inclusion of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003) to be implemented in all districts.
4) To introduce Vendor licensing of tobacco products in urban bodies after working out the modality.
5) In view of high prevalence tobacco among children, the members warned that serious action will be taken against those who sell tobacco to minors and also who sell tobacco near educational institutions.
Tobacco epidemic taking a toll in Nagaland
