Yikhum Village under Wokha District has been adjudged the best performing Tobacco Free Village in Nagaland. Deputy Commissioner Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS on Wednesday felicitated the village during the World No Tobacco Day program at Lotha Hoho Building Conference Hall, Wokha. The event was organised by District Tobacco Control Cell, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Wokha under the theme “We Need Food, Not Tobacco”.

DC Ranjan presented a certificate to the Yikhum Village on the occasion.

In his speech as special guest, he stressed on the negative impacts of tobacco use on an individual’s health and also those around the person. The DC gave importance to sensitizing and spreading awareness about the harmful effects and use of tobacco products and urged all to come together and run a campaign across the district to make Wokha district free from tobacco and also to take a pledge to take action against all forms of danger associated with tobacco. He also stated that with the cooperation from the school education department in the district, all schools in Wokha district are 100% free tobacco zone.

DC Wokha with other participants of World No Tobacco Day program in Wokha on 31 May 2023

Dr Meribeni Odyuo, Jr. Director Department of H&FW, congratulated the Tobacco Control Committee in Yikhum Village and the entire team on being declared the first Best Performing Tobacco Free Village in the state and commended their efforts in creating a tobacco free environment.

The guest of honour announced that since the establishment of National Tobacco Control Programme in 2016 in Wokha, it has shown remarkable progress and currently Wokha District has declared 72 Educational Institutions as Tobacco Free School and five Tobacco Free Villages.

She also expressed that creating Tobacco Free Home stands as one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use including Smoking. Dr Odyuo also advice the students to take initiatives to raise awareness among themselves, parents and visitors regarding the dangers of smoking, second-hand smoke, chewing tobacco, etc.

Dr Meribeni Odyuo, Jr. Director Department of H&FW

She acknowledged that creating Tobacco Free Homes will not be easy because many tobacco users are resistance to the idea, and some may feel that it is an impeachment on their personal freedom. But Dr Odyuo added that tobacco use is not just a personal choice, as it has a significant impact on the entire world as well as lives of the people.

She said that the first step to create free homes is to impart education. “We must educate ourselves, our families and our communities about the effects of tobacco use and the benefits of establishing Tobacco Free Homes,” she asserted.

Second step is to become a good role model for others and also provide resources and support to tobacco users like counselling, she added.

Dr Odyuo was optimistic that the initiative will create greater awareness about dangers of its uses, reduce smoking consumption and minimize exposure of second-hand smoking and encouraged everyone to come together and strive to create Tobacco Free Homes.

“Together we can make a difference and work together for a better future,” she concluded.

At the program, Dr Meribeni Odyuo also handed over Tobacco Free Home Campaign certificates to parents of Fernbrook School Wokha.

Wokha DC, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS presenting certificates on World No Tobacco Day 2023

Theme Speaker, Dr Krunichuno Rino, Senior Medical Officer ENT, Dr Motsuo Memorial District Hospital (DMMDH), informed that the theme of World No Tobacco Day 2023, “We Need Food, Not Tobacco” was chosen with the aim to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities among tobacco farmers encouraging them to grow more sustainable and nutritious crops.

Dr Rino also mentioned that the tradition of celebrating World No Tobacco Day every year on 31st of May was first started in 1987 by the state members of WHO to promote awareness about the ill effects and consequences of tobacco usage while aiming to advocate at reducing tobacco consumption.

During the event, four Health Units received Tobacco Free Health Unit Certificate and 29 Educational Institutions received Tobacco Free School certificates.

A short play on tobacco use was presented by the students of Christian Model High School Wokha. The program was chaired by Dr Zuben Likin, CMO, Wokha; invocation by Samuel Ovung, Asst. Pastor, WTBC; vote of thanks was given by Dr Zechano Ezung, Medical Officer DMMDH.

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