The World No Tobacco Day was observed across the state of Nagaland on May 31. The Directorate of Health & Family Welfare held a program in commemoration of World No Tobacco Day 2022 with the theme ‘‘Tobacco: Threat to Our Environment’’ on 31st of May 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Directorate IDSP Hall, Kohima.
Dr. Chiekroshuyi Tetseo, Addl. Director (Dental) & SNO, NTCP delivered the theme talk. He highlighted the ongoing activities such as organizing competitions, awareness campaigns, cleanliness drives, etc in all the districts as well as State level.
With 43% tobacco use among 13-15 years age group, Nagaland stands the highest in tobacco consumption in the country, he stated. Further, he also informed that to monitor schools/institutions for a tobacco-free zone, a special app has been launched under the name “Tobacco-Free Nagaland App.”
Dr. Thorhusie Katiry, Mission Director NHM released the “Handbook for Health Workers” at the program.
The Principal Director lauded the National Tobacco Control Program for their sincere work and effort, and exhorted in his speech to continue working together with respect and support.
Mokokchung
In Mokokchung, World No Tobacco Day was observed on the theme “Tobacco – Threat to our Environment” at IMDH on the 31st of May 2022 with the teaching staff and students of the School of Nursing, Mokokchung.
On the occasion Dr. Sentirenla, Dental Surgeon IMDH spoke in regard with the theme “How Tobacco is harmful to our environment”. She emphasized on the harmful effects of Tobacco and the functions of Cessation Centre within the district. Anti Tobacco pledge was also taken with the teachers and students of School of Nursing.
World No Tobacco Day was also observed in three of the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) of Mokokchung district namely, Ladybird School, Straightway Higher Secondary School and GHSS Mayangnokcha. Health Centers across the District also observed the occasion by imparting health education on the harmful effects of tobacco and also provided support to people for cessation of tobacco use, and update from the CMO Office Mokokchung informed.
Jubilee Memorial College observed World No Tobacco Day by organizing a prepared speech competition and a talk from resource person Dr. Kilangwapang Pongen, Doctor, IMDH.
The prepared speech competition was held on the theme “Tobacco: threat to our environment,” where Prakriti Lama was declared the winner while Toshimanen Imchen and Atekhingla Sangtam won the second and third positions respectively.
Dr. Kilangwapang Pongen talked about the ill-effects of tobacco consumption and said that the different harmful chemicals in tobacco lead to all forms of cancer. He also talked about the initiatives taken by the government stressing on NTCP and COPTA 2003. He said that it is not possible to eradicate the use of tobacco completely but we can control the use of tobacco.
He further stated that young people tend to get into the habit of using tobacco when they try to experiment. “At a young developing age if your body is infused with tobacco, you will face a lot of health problems in the future,” he concluded.
The welcome speech was pronounced by Dr. Imtiwati Jamir, Principal, JMC while the vote of thanks at the program was delivered by Chubaienla, Nodal Officer, Tobacco Control Cell, JMC. The program was chaired by Yimkumla.