The District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) National Tobacco Control Programme, Mon District organized World No Tobacco Day with the theme “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference” at Sacred Heart School, Mon on May 31, informed a DIPR report.
Deputy Commissioner Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS graced the celebration as guest of honour. He pointed out that there is nothing good in tobacco, but still it exists in society. The world is running by the market organization, demand and supply. It depends on your perspective; choose what is good for you and selecting a friend is a very important factor, he said. He also encouraged them to choose their destiny wisely and do not let the industrial world deceive you. He also encouraged the people who received certificates to commit to what they have decided today.
Theme Speaker Dr. Aman Konyak SMO, District Hospital Mon spoke on how tobacco affects health. He pointed out that 25% of cancers are caused by Tobacco. Tobacco kills mental, physical and financial aspects of our lives. He also said that there are many digital, social media and advertisements to attract the young people. Therefore, he encouraged them to prevent and never taste it. Asserting that health is wealth, he said if you are healthy, you have everything. He also appealed to spread the message of the day to the family, friends and society.
Dr. MH. Daniel, Chairman of the Sacred Heart School, Mon in his welcome speech said that the world is celebrating World No Tobacco Day every year, giving more importance to health, raising the awareness of tobacco. Choose a tobacco free world.
Dr. Esther Chophy Ngullie, District Nodal Officer National Tobacco Control Programme, Mon chaired the Programme. She said that there are 53 Tobacco Free Homes in the District. Eight Schools were declared, Tobacco Free School on this World No Tobacco Day. As part of the programme, poster competition was also held earlier. The winners of the poster competition were- Sangti E Konyak, Class 8, from Christ King School Mon, Pangteih L Konyak, Class 12 from KHSS Mon, Hamkai Konyak Class 5, from Eastwood School Mon bagged first, second and third respectively. The programmed concluded by reading out the plaque, World No Tobacco Day.
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Kiphire
In Kiphire, the World No Tobacco Day was observed under the theme, “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Indifference” was observed at District Hospital Conference Hall on May 31, organized by the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), Kiphire with students from different schools.
According to a DIPR report, EAC Kiphire, Kudazo Swuro, graced the occasion as the special guest. In his speech, he spoke about how tobacco has been affecting our lives, and shared about his concerns related to health and society. He also challenged the gathering present to adapt a healthy lifestyle free from tobacco.
Dr. Wekhrou Mero, junior Dental surgeon, DHK delivered on the theme exposition, while Dr. Mero shared the statistics and the risks associated with Tobacco to our health, both physically and mentally. She also shared how tobacco companies are improvising their marketing strategies to lure young people to use Tobacco.
Vithalietou Kire, OC, Police Station and Flying Squad NTCP spoke about the “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003”. He also shared about his experience, peer pressures during teenage years, the ill effects of tobacco and also encouraged everyone to live a tobacco free life.
During the program, certificate and prizes were distributed to the students who won the painting and essay competition held on 29th of May 2024 conducted by the NTCP.
Four Schools from Kiphire Town were declared as Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) and were awarded certificate for the same.
Earlier, Kedorianuo Sirie, Clinical Psychologist DMHP chaired the program, Alison Sangtam, President, Baptist Pastors fellowship Kiphire Town invoked God’s blessing into the gathering. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Nungotso Vero, Nodal Officer NTCP where he thanked all the Schools for actively participting in the program.
