Nagaland observes World No Tobacco Day 2023

Dimapur, June 1 (MExN): World No Tobacco Day 2023 was observed across Nagaland on the theme ‘We need food, not tobacco’ on May 31. 

Tuensang: In Tuensang Town, the District Tobacco Control Cell, Assam Riles, Students from Government Secondary High school and Assam Rifles High School Tuensang came together to observe the day at Town Hall and in the main market.

Some activities conducted were awareness lecture, interaction session, speech, bike rally and anti tobacco march.

Assam Rifles, 7 DUAR, Tuensang District Tobacco Control Cell, District Legal Service Authority, ARHS Tuensang, GHSS and Local Bike Club – FREE CLUB participated in the event. Almost 400 people were present in the programme. The aim of this initiative was to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and promote a healthy and tobacco-free lifestyle among the youth.

The day began with an awareness lecture conducted by experts in the field of public health. The lecture touched upon various aspects, including the risks of smoking, chewing tobacco, and the hazards of secondhand smoke. 

To further amplify the message, a bike rally was organized in collaboration with local cycling clubs. The highlight of the day was the anti-tobacco march. 

Wokha: District Tobacco Control Cell, National Tobacco Control Programme Wokha organized the World No Tobacco Day in Lotha Hoho building with Deputy Commissioner, Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan, and Jr. Director H& FW, Nagaland, Dr Merebeni Odyuo as the special guest and guest of honour respectively.

The Wokha DC felicitated Yikhum Village with the Best performing Tobacco Free Village while Dr Odyuo handed over Tobacco Free Home Campaign certificates to parents of Fernbrook School Wokha.

Mon: District Tobacco Control Cell Mon, organized World No Tobacco Day at Conference Hall, District Hospital Mon with DC Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS as special guest and Dr Imlienla, Mo (FIARTC) Mon as theme speaker.

E. Nyeamying Konyak, District Consultant, DTCC, Mon said that earlier there were 18 Tobacco Free Schools in Mon town and this time five new schools were declared Tobacco Free Schools, and Certificates were handed over to the school representatives. 

The result of the poster competition held on May 29 on account of World Tobacco Free Day was declared. The winners were DBS Mon, GHSS, and St Mary School got 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place respectively.

Dimapur: World No Tobacco Day cum launching programme of ‘Tobacco-free Schools to Tobacco-free Homes’ initiative was observed at Greenwood Higher Secondary School Auditorium, Dimapur 

Speaking during the occasion, Dr Reyosalu Lase Vizo District Nodal Officer, NTCP Dimapur informed that Tobacco Free Youth Campaign has been planned for 60 days starting from (May 31 to July 31) 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. 

Mokokchung: Mokokchung observed World No Tobacco Day and also launched ‘Tobacco Free Youth Campaign & Tobacco Free School, Tobacco Free Home’ 23 at Senayangba Government HSS, Mokokchung. The programme was organized by District Tobacco Control Cell, Mokokchung.

Dr Sentirenla Jamir, Jr Dental Surgeon, IMDH highlighted on the life threatening diseases connected with tobacco use and encouraged the audience to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Nukshiwati Longchar, District Consultant, NTCP, made a presentation on the legal aspects of COPTA Act 2003.

To mark the day, an essay and video making competition was conducted where Tiamenla, Class 12 (Sci) won the first prize, followed by Meputiba Class 12 (Art) won 2nd Prize and Kikumsungla of Class 9 won 3rd Prize. In the video making competition, 1st prize was awarded to the team Blooming Girls and 2nd to Team Eruption. Certificates with cash prize were awarded to the winners. 

Phek: Phek District Tobacco Control Cell NTCP observed World No Tobacco Day with Kumar Ramnikant IAS DC Phek as the special guest on May 31. The DC Phek and Dr Nichukholie Vupru DNO, NTCP addressed the gathering. Ten schools were awarded with certificate for declaring tobacco free school.    

Zunheboto: District Tobacco Control Cell, Zunheboto observed World No Tobacco Day at Zunheboto Government College with Vishal Chauhan, IPS SP Zunheboto as the guest of honour. The SP officially launched the tobacco free camp. 

Dr K Akaho Sema, Dy CMO Zunheboto talked about the major concerns and diseases caused by tobacco. Easter H Yepthomi, Retainer Lawyer, ZDLSA gave a detailed presentation on COPTA 2003. Certificates and prizes were presented and handed out to the tobacco free schools and institutions. IEC materials were distributed to the participants.

Longleng: World No Tobacco Day was observed at BGHSS Longleng with SP Longleng, Dr Pritpal Kaur Batra IPS as the special guests. She declared 60 days of awareness campaign at Longleng. Trongdiba Sangtam SDO(C), Dr Tiasunep CMO Longleng, Dr Samuel Akho Konyak P, Dr Bongau, Phom, District Nodel Officer (NTCP) Longleng and others spoke during the event. Six schools were declared tobacco free schools in Longleng. 

MGMHSS: MGM Higher Secondary School, Dimapur observed World No Tobacco Day. During the morning assembly, the students under the guidance of Student School Council presented different items to highlight the adverse impact of the rampant use of tobacco products among school going children. MGMHSS Principal Reji Abraham in his speech said, “Consumption of Tobacco product is a door to enter into drugs and alcohol. He urged Students to abstain from the use of tobacco.” He also led the No Tobacco Day pledge. The students undertook a poster campaign in the school campus. 

Children’s Parliament: Children’s Parliament Initiative under the aegis of Development Association of Nagaland (DAN) observed World No Tobacco Day at St John’s School, Diphupar B. The special guest was Dr Arihant Jain, Consultant Orthodontist, Faith Hospital, Dimapur. 

Johnny Abraham, Headmaster of the school exhorted the students. A skit on ‘Tobacco Kills’ and a demonstration on the harmful effects of tobacco were presented by the Children’s Parliament of the school. After the programme, the students led a procession in the vicinity of the school with slogans and posters.

LFHSS Kohima: Little Flower Hr Sec School (LFHSS), Kohima celebrated World Tobacco organised by Tobacco Free Club in the school premises with Dr Narotola Imchen, Assistant Teacher as the guest speaker.

Stated that tobacco and drugs causes many diseases, Dr Narotola highlighted that to effectively address drug abuse and tobacco, we must understand the underlying factors that include, socio economic disparities, peer pressure, lack of education and awareness,  trauma, mental health issues,  and easy access to drugs and tobacco. By addressing these roots causes, we can pave the way for prevention and intervention strategies, she said. 

She added that education plays a pivotal role in equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and resist the temptation of drugs and tobacco. Sr Lucy Gangmei, Principal LFHSS also spoke during the function. A skit was performed by members of the Tobacco Free Club on the awareness and dangers of the usage of drugs. After the programme, 21 students (Ambassadors of Tobacco Free) along with the club teacher incharge Sendennaro went out to the shops near the school for a surprise checking as the school has been declared a Tobacco Free zone.