Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Henok Buchem, on Thursday announced strict enforcement of the Nagaland Government’s recent ban on food products containing tobacco or nicotine, warning that violators could face monetary penalties as well as cancellation of trade licences.
Speaking on the implementation of the government’s notification issued on June 2, 2026, Buchem said the ban on the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of food products containing tobacco or nicotine ingredients is applicable throughout Nagaland and will be fully enforced in Kohima district.
He appealed to citizens, vendors and business establishments to comply with the order, which will remain in force for one year.
“I request all citizens to kindly abide by this instruction. Selling, manufacturing, processing and storing any food products containing tobacco or nicotine is banned,” Buchem said.
The DC also urged school authorities to ensure that no such products are sold within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions, stressing the need to protect children from harmful substances.
To ensure effective implementation, Buchem said an anti-tobacco task force comprising administrative officers, police personnel, excise officials, food safety authorities and representatives from schools is already functioning in the district. The task force conducts regular inspections, penalises offenders and destroys seized banned products.
He informed that the district administration has decided to strengthen enforcement measures following a recent meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee on tobacco control.
“We have decided to enlarge and revamp the task force. Its activities will be expanded to town areas, subdivisions and villages, where local functionaries will be entrusted with monitoring their respective jurisdictions,” he said.
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Buchem stated that inspections and surprise checks would be intensified under the new directive. Shops found selling banned products would face stringent action, including cancellation of trade licences.
“As far as penalties are concerned, responsibility will be fixed. In cases where shops are found selling banned items, their trade licences will be cancelled and necessary action initiated,” he said.
The DC clarified that authorities would not issue prior warnings to violators, as the ban has already been publicly notified.
“No warnings will be given. We will conduct surprise inspections and take action wherever violations are detected,” he said.
According to Buchem, seized tobacco and nicotine-containing products are deposited at police stations and destroyed periodically as part of the enforcement process. He added that intelligence networks involving the police, excise department and food safety officials would also be activated to identify violations.
Alongside enforcement, the district administration plans to intensify Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns across Kohima. Awareness programmes are already being conducted regularly in schools and several localities every month.
“The two key aspects are awareness and enforcement. We will continue awareness campaigns while strengthening monitoring and supervision through the task force,” he said.
On concerns raised by vendors regarding loss of livelihood, Buchem said the administration would implement the government’s policy while leaving business decisions to individual vendors.
“Livelihood is one thing, but the harmful effects of these substances are another. As long as these items remain banned, we will ensure that they are not sold or used,” he remarked.
Highlighting the public health concerns behind the government’s decision, Buchem noted that Nagaland has often reported one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the country, largely linked to tobacco consumption.
“It is high time we get rid of this habit and change our lifestyle,” he said, urging citizens to support efforts aimed at reducing tobacco-related health risks in the state.
