Kohima, 31 May (MTNews): The Commissioner & Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Department in Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, stated that Nagaland ranks second in India in terms of tobacco usage, just after Mizoram. Speaking at the World No Tobacco Day event held at G Rio School Kohima on Wednesday, Sema highlighted that children between the ages of 13 and 15 constitute the highest percentage (43%) of tobacco consumers in the state.
Sema emphasized that over 700 patients, primarily diagnosed with tobacco-related cancers, are currently registered in hospitals across Nagaland. He urged all segments of society to actively participate in the fight against tobacco as it cannot be solely tackled by the concerned department alone.
The State Tobacco Control Cell of the National Tobacco Control Program Nagaland organized the event under the theme “We Need Food, Not Tobacco.” In addition to political willpower, Sema suggested that churches and NGOs should step forward to address this issue.
Sema expressed his satisfaction that the younger generation is taking a stand against tobacco. Launching the 60-day ‘No Tobacco Campaign’ on the same day, he encouraged all students and children to initiate a ‘no tobacco home’ campaign, as parents are likely to support their children in this endeavor.
Sema further highlighted the increasing consumption of tobacco globally, with approximately two lakh hectares of land being utilized for tobacco farming, adversely affecting our lives and the lives of farmers. He mentioned that the World Health Organization, in collaboration with other like-minded United Nations agencies, is assisting farmers by raising awareness and providing financial support to encourage them to cease tobacco cultivation.
Urging people to refrain from using any tobacco products, Sema noted that tobacco-related causes account for approximately 8.2 million deaths globally each year. In our country alone, 1.3 million deaths are reported annually due to tobacco consumption.
