An advocacy workshop on Tobacco Control and initiation of the ongoing "Smoke Free District Headquarters Campaign" was held at Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) Office building on 24th September 2021. Administrator KMC, Lanusenla Longkumer chairing the workshop said that the campaign for smoke free Kohima city was launched on 29th April 2016 followed by sensitisation and other programme on the ongoing "smoke free district headquarter campaign" carried out so far. She said that to achieve Kohima district as "smoke free district headquarter", every stakeholders and individuals must support and contribute towards the endeavour. District Nodal Officer, NTCP, Kohima, Dr. Arenla Walling speaking at the workshop said that smoke free campaign was to strengthen the enforcement of Section 4 of COTPA 2003, which bans smoking in identified public places. She said that medical department alone cannot enforce or implement the provision of law under the section and sought cooperation from all the enforcement officers and stakeholders to contribute their supports to achieve Kohima district as smoke free district. Dr. Arenla said that smoking should be banned because the smoke contains more than 7000 harmful chemicals, of which 100 are toxic and about 70 of them causes cancer. "Smoking and exposure to 2nd hand smoke can cause cancer, CV diseases, stroke, pneumonia and can damage the reproductive system, increase chances of TB infection women and children suffer the most from 2nd hand smoke", she added. On smokers and COVID-19, Dr. Arenla said, be it 1st or 2nd hand smoke, it reduces lung capacity and increases the risk of many respiratory infection and can increase the severity of respiratory diseases. She said COVID-19 is infectious diseases that primarily attack the lungs, smoking impair lung functions making it harder for the body to fight the virus and other respiratory diseases. She further highlighted on the benefits of smoke free and step wise approach to smoke free. Achila Walling, Social worker NTCP Kohima gave a PowerPoint presentation on various Acts and Sections under COTPA 2003 while Pelebeinuo Khezhie, a Psychologist from NTCP, Kohima delivered the vote of thanks. (DPRO Kohima)