The Government of Nagaland has launched the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0, a statewide initiative under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) of the Department of Health and Family Welfare. The campaign, held simultaneously across all districts, aims to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle among the youth through awareness, education, and enforcement.
The state-level launch was held at Baptist College, Kohima, where Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Anoop Khinchi, IAS, officially launched the campaign. Describing the initiative as both “timely and strategic,” he highlighted the high burden of tobacco use among both adults and children in Nagaland and the declining age of initiation. He called for stronger inter-departmental coordination, tobacco vendor licensing, and capacity building of stakeholders. “Every school declared tobacco-free, every village enforcing the law, and every young person who chooses to say no to tobacco is a step toward a healthier Nagaland,” he said.
Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, in her keynote address, noted that under TFYC 1.0 and 2.0, Nagaland had declared numerous Tobacco Free Educational Institutions and Villages while strengthening enforcement of COTPA, 2003 and PECA, 2019. However, she drew attention to a major concern, stating that according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4), 43 percent of school-going children aged 13–15 in Nagaland currently use some form of tobacco, a figure similar to that of adults reported in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2).
Mission Director, National Health Mission, Nagaland, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preventive health and behavioural change among youth. He urged students to act as ambassadors of the campaign, influencing their peers and families to adopt healthy choices. He also encouraged districts to demonstrate leadership and innovation through daily reporting, review meetings, and field activities during the 60-day campaign.
In Mokokchung, the District Tobacco Control Cell launched the campaign at Christian Residential Higher Secondary School. Dr. K. Tiasenla, District Nodal Officer, NTCP, emphasized the role of educational institutions in fostering a tobacco-free generation. The campaign was officially launched by Dr. Ademla Tinu, Medical Superintendent, IMDH, who encouraged students to act as advocates of a tobacco-free lifestyle. The programme concluded with a pledge-taking ceremony led by Nukshiwati Longchar, Consultant, NTCP, where participants vowed to remain tobacco-free and spread awareness among their peers.
In Kiphire, the campaign was inaugurated with a rally flagged off by Superintendent of Police, Chinese, who stressed the importance of youth abstaining from tobacco use. Students participated actively by distributing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in local and English languages and raising slogans against tobacco abuse. The District Enforcement Team, instituted by the Deputy Commissioner under the supervision of the SDPO, conducted enforcement drives and took action against 10 defaulters found selling tobacco near school premises. The offenders were fined under the COTPA Act 2003, and seized products were processed by local police.
Supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 will run for 60 days, focusing on awareness drives, enforcement measures, and collaborative community efforts to reduce tobacco prevalence and safeguard the health of Nagaland’s youth.