According to Dr I Simon Sumi, a nodal officer of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Mon, around 80-90% of the population in Mon town including children are in the habit of tobacco consumption.

There is an increase of more smokeless users of tobacco compared to smokers of cigarettes, he told Nagaland Tribune while discussing the rampant consumption of tobacco in Mon town.

“Many fall into this practice leading to addiction mainly by the influence of peer pressure and some youngsters inculcating it from parents and adults,” he added.

Despite the strong warning inscribed on every packet cover, tobacco consumption has now become a minor issue, the doctor pointed out, adding that the issue was steadily being replaced by that of other substance abuse.

Recently, a sensitization programme on tobacco consumption and its harmful effects was organised by the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) in collaboration with the Police Department Mon. Dr Simon Sumi was the resource person.

The programme was conducted at Wangkhao Government College on 25 October and at Council Hall Mon on 27 October.

Awareness programmes like these are being conducted in educational institutions and other places to educate young people on the ill effects of tobacco. However, the challenge remains since many small shops continue to sell tobacco – their main source of income – and when enforcement drives are conducted, it becomes difficult to completely ban the sale of tobacco, Dr Sumi said.

“A law has been enforced not to sale tobacco products within hundred yards from the school surroundings. If the government gives complete closure of tobacco selling, it should be solved but the reality is different since the government is also getting tax from it. Closing down the manufacture remains a complicated question.”

Dr Sumi hoped that NGOs and churches would also address the issue of tobacco addiction to bring positive changes in the locality and make Mon district a Tobacco Free Zone Area.

During the sensitization programmes held in October, the doctor stressed on the rapid increase of oral cancer in Nagaland caused by tobacco consumption.

He also explained the two types of tobacco consumption – smoke and smokeless form, the latter of which includes dry snuff, moist snuff and dissolvable products. Highlighting the different oral diseases caused by tobacco consumption, Dr Sumi further demonstrated some oral physiotherapy which should be taken by a person with Oral sub-mucous Fibrosis (OSMF) on a regular basis.

He urged the college students to be aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption and not become addicted to the substance.

In the programme at Council Hall, the Superintendent of Police Mon, Imnalensa, IPS, also shared his personal experience with the jawans, urging them to become responsible citizens and to stay away from consuming tobacco. Stating that tobacco is the new normal and the addiction to it a challenge for most Nagas, he encouraged the jawans to spread the message of the dangers of tobacco to everyone possible.  

A video clip titled ‘Tobacco’ was also screened during the programmes.

For those addicted to tobacco, Dr Simon informed that a Tobacco Cessation Centre has been set up to provide counselling. Nicotex tablets are also available to replace the habit of tobacco chewing. The centre is run under the National Tobacco Control Programme.