District-Level Coordination Committee on National Tobacco Control programme (NTCP) meeting was held at DC’s conference hall, Longleng on 29th November 2022 under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner and Chairman (NTCP) Longleng, Dharam Raj, IAS.
The DC pointed out that only education can give the younger generation from getting into this habit. The DLEC are capable enough to put a ban on tobacco and to impose tobacco free zone in and around Longleng town. Every member should work collectively and start educating people to make NTCP a successful programme. He said that the program should start and function as per the guidelines given by the government. DC also assured to take up the shortage of manpower to effectively implement the programme.
Dr. Pongau, Nodal Officer NTCP said in order to take NTCP programme effectively, the house requested the chairman NTCP to address the grievances faced by the district Nodal Officer NTCP in disseminating various programmes in the district.
The house also discussed about imposition of ban on selling of tobacco and its product in and around School/Educational Institutions, selling of tobacco product within hundred yards from the educational institutions is prohibited. The tobacco items should be confiscated by reporting the District Level Enforcement Squad. To form a club or volunteer to assist the respective educational institutions to check the use of tobacco products within the premises and to tie up with all the stakeholders of the concerned areas. And also to create a smoking zone in no smoking area. The house decided to go forward and help the student clubs/volunteers financially in the educational institution if the student body want to organise sensitisation and awareness programme related to tobacco and its product according to COPTA Act 2003. The house also decided to write a letter to all village councils and to all primary schools up to middle school level and decided to open Tobacco cessation centre at the District Hospital Longleng.
(Manjong Phom, IA Longleng)
