The District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) of the District Tobacco Control Cell, Kohima, held its quarterly meeting on September 27, 2023, at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner's Office. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Shanavas C. IAS.

During the meeting, the DLCC reviewed the outcomes and follow-up action plan on tobacco control since the last DLCC meeting. Achila Walling, a social worker from the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), highlighted the action plans and activities undertaken by the DLCC since September 2022, when the previous meeting was held at the DC Office Conference Hall in Kohima.

One of the notable achievements highlighted by Walling was the declaration of three schools and one Police Cantonment as tobacco-free zones. She also mentioned that various training sessions were organized for ASHA workers to educate them on oral health, the ill effects of tobacco, and the provisions of the COTPA 2003 (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act). 

The District Tobacco Control Cell team actively conducted Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities during the Republic Day celebration at Secretariat Plaza in Kohima. 

Additionally, they carried out awareness programs, counseling sessions for students, and provided Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and Smokelyzer tests. An essay competition in commemoration of World No Tobacco Day was also organized.

During the meeting, five students were recognized and awarded certificates and badges for declaring their homes as 'Tobacco-Free.'

The DLCC also discussed the issue of shops selling tobacco products in the vicinity of schools. It was decided to conduct inspections of these shops, and those found to be in violation of the law would face legal consequences.

(Siizo Kikhi, IA Kohima)