World No Tobacco Day 2023 cum launching program of “Tobacco-free Schools to Tobacco-free Homes” initiative was organised by District Tobacco Control Cell, NTCP Dimapur under the theme “We Need Food, Not Tobacco” on Wednesday at Greenwood Higher Secondary School Auditorium, Dimapur, DIPR informed.
Speaking on the Theme Dr Reyosalu Lase Vizo, District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Dimapur said that all educational institutions in Nagaland had been declared Tobacco Free as of 1 May 2023 to strengthen Tobacco Control laws; to reduce easy accessibility of tobacco products to children; to protect the future generation from the full impact of tobacco epidemic.
Vizo added that to strengthen the enforcement, the State government has authorized police personnel and teachers of all Educational Institutions to act as Enforcement Officers to implement Sec 6 (b) of COTPA 2003 within their Jurisdiction COTPA 2003 Section 6(b) Ban on sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products within 100 yards of educational Institutions.
She also enlightened that Tobacco-Free Schools to Tobacco-Free Homes is an initiative of the State Tobacco Control Cell Nagaland where students of tobacco-free educational institutions can use their acquired knowledge to create anti-tobacco awareness in their homes.
Emphasizing on the scenario of Nagaland, she mentioned that though the farmers do not cultivate tobacco, the problems we face are the environmental, economic, and health issues littering of Talab, Shikar and tobacco sachets, smearing of paan and lime and spitting everywhere in public places could be seen, which was very unhygienic and contributes to the spread of diseases like TB and Covid-19. Adding that next to food packets and plastics, tobacco waste accounts for the second most littered items contributing to environmental hazards.
People also spend a lot on tobacco products instead of spending on food and necessities and many are spending a lot of money on diseases caused by tobacco.
She also informed that Tobacco Free Youth Campaign has been planned for sixty days starting from (31 May to 31 July 2023) which aims to focus on youth by creating awareness, preventing initiation of tobacco use, and assisting users to quit.
Altogether 20 students were awarded Tobacco Free Home Certificates on the occasion.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Nilie Metha, Principal, GHSS; special song was performed by Greenwood Hr. Sec. School students; invocation was offered by Ketusilie Sakhrie Sr. Chaplain, GHSS; vote of thanks was pronounced by Dr. Kihito, Jr. Dental Surgeon District Hospital Dimapur. The program was chaired by Benson Sitlhou, Asst.Teacher, GHSS.
