District Level Coordinator Committee (DLCC) concerning the National Tobacco Control Programme meeting was held at DCs conference hall Longleng on 17th April 2023 under the chairmanship of Dharam Raj, IAS, DC, and Chairman NTCP Longleng.
The house deliberated to make Tobacco Control cells in all the offices under Longleng district Administrative HQ. In this regard, all the departments have been asked to implement Tobacco free office within the next 100 days from the date of notification. All schools have been directed to register formal complaints from tobacco-selling shops to district-level enforcement squads. The complaint should be lodged from the shop located within 100 yards. The meeting resolved to form active members or volunteers within the schools and colleges to assist the respective educational institutions to tackle the use of tobacco.
The house also discussed getting hold of someone who has survived diseases like cancer, TB, and related diseases due to the use of tobacco, the idea behind this is to let people be convinced through his/her testimony. The house also decided to create a smoking zone in the no-smoking zone area and passed a strong resolution against the shop selling tobacco products to minors below 18 years and strict action will be initiated against the shop, selling tobacco to the students in uniforms. Enforcement of the Anti-Tobacco Cell within the schools will have to be initiated by the respective Nodal Officer. No smoking zone should exist within educational institutions. To discourage the consumption of tobacco in the villages, the DC and chairman of NTCP will write a letter to all village councils to comply with the order. The house further decided that institutions scoring 90% under the tobacco-free Educational institutions' guidelines will be rewarded.
The house also decided to write a letter to the Government of Nagaland to include Longleng under Nashad Mukh Bharat Abhiyan. All the ward presidents were authorized to impose a fine of Rs. 250 for selling any kind of tobacco products within the ward/Jurisdiction. The meeting also decided to declare tobacco-free schools by observing all the norms laid down under ToFEI guidelines.
(Manjong Phom IA Longleng)
