State Tobacco Control Cell, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Nagaland celebrated World No Tobacco Day under the theme “We Need Food, Not Tobacco” at Kevilhouü Rio Auditorium, G Rio School, Kohima on Wednesday with special guest Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Nagaland.
In his speech, Kikheto Sema mentioned that in 1987 World Health Organisation started World No Tobacco Day to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable deaths and diseases it causes. He informed that this year’s theme “We Need Food, Not Tobacco” aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops.
Sema enlightened that about 124 countries grow tobacco as a cash crop, covering an estimate of 3.2 million hectares of land and an approximate of 2.00 lakhs hectares of land are cleared every year for growing of tobacco crop. All while there is a growing food crisis around the globe due to conflicts, wars, climatic change, and the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that there were 135 million people facing acute food insecurity in 2019, but now it has increased to about 349 million, an increase of 159% in just 4 years.
The Commissioner & Secretary, H&FW also shared that cultivation of tobacco harms our health, the health of farmers and the planet’s health. He further informed that WHO has teamed up with other United Nations agencies to support farmers wishing to switch from growing tobacco to growing food.
“By choosing to grow food instead of tobacco, we prioritise health, preserve ecosystems, and strengthen food security for all,” Kikheto Sema asserted.
Speaking on the effects of Tobacco, he said that tobacco is the biggest cause of preventable deaths in the world, responsible for 8.2 million deaths globally and 1.3 million deaths in India. He revealed that in North East India, 49 % of all cancer cases in men and 22 % in women are attributed to tobacco use. He also said that recently in the state, more than 700 patients are registered in hospitals detected with cancer mostly tobacco-related issues. Nagaland is the second highest user of tobacco in India next to Mizoram and that 13 to 15-year-olds in Nagaland are the highest consumer of tobacco with 43%. Therefore all sections of the people should get involved as only the concerned department cannot do it, Sema maintained.
Total consumption and expenditure on Tobacco products Nagaland on the basis of Global adults’ tobacco survey 15 years and above:
The Commissioner & Secretary, H&FW also mentioned that the State government has taken prompt action in the recent past by declared all educational institution both government and private in Nagaland (2684 schools) as Tobacco Free Zone (TFZ) as on 1 May 2023; all government hospitals, health care, health offices including the directorate as TFZ from 1 of February 2023; all Private Hospitals, Health Institutions as TFZ starting 11 April 2023.
Further, Kikheto Sema expressed appreciation to field officers, Police personnels, Educational Institutions and Administration for prompt action, highlighting that within a month around 180 shops penalized, Rs 18630 was collected.
He also suggested that churches, NGOs, and political willpower come forward to curb the situation together. He was delighted that the younger generations who are the future are coming up with a cause to say “NO” to Tobacco.
As he launched the 60 days NO TOBACCO CAMPAIGN, he urged all the students, and children to initiate NO TOBACCO Home as the parents will surely agree to their children.
He also congratulated and gave away certificates to 15 students from G Rio School for pledging NO TOBACCO HOME along with their parents which is a great response to pave the way for huge changes as Nagaland is the fourth state in the country to start No Tobacco Home.
At the program, DTCC Consultant, NTCP, Linoka K Awomi also gave a PPT presentation on economic impacts of tobacco use. Among the many she mentioned the maximum spending of a daily consumer in Nagaland.
The programme was chaired by Radhika Chetri, invocation by Aphre Kerhuo, and a special song by G Rio School, followed by certificate presentations and vote of thanks by Dr Arenla walling Deputy Director & SNO (NTCP) DH&FW.
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