World No Tobacco Day Cum Launching Programme of "Tobacco-free Schools to Tobacco-free Homes" initiative was observed under the Theme "We need food, not tobacco" on 31st May 2023 at Greenwood Higher Secondary School Auditorium, Dimapur
Speaking on the Theme Dr. Reyosalu Lase Vizo District Nodal Officer, NTCP Dimapur said that all educational institutions in Nagaland had declared as Tobacco Free from 1st May 2023 to strengthen Tobacco Control laws; to reduce easy accessibility of tobacco products to children; to protect the future generation from the full impact of tobacco epidemic. She added that to strengthen the enforcement, the State Government has authorized police personnel and teachers of all Educational Institutions to act as Enforcement Officers to implement Sec 6 (b) of COTPA 2003 within their Jurisdiction COTPA 2003 Section 6(b) Ban on sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products within 100 yards of educational Institutions.
Tobacco-Free Schools to Tobacco-Free Homes was an initiative of the State Tobacco Control Cell Nagaland so that Educational Institution becomes tobacco-free which would impact every student to be aware of the dangers of tobacco, the health and environmental hazards it causes, basic provisions of the COTPA 2003; students to have the required knowledge to create anti-tobacco awareness in their homes and also an initiative to reach out to the unreached with an anti-tobacco campaign.
Emphasizing the scenario of Nagaland, She mentioned that though the farmers do not cultivate tobacco, the problems we face are the environmental, economic, and health issues littering of Talab, Shikar and tobacco sachets, smearing of paan and lime and spitting everywhere in public places could be seen, which was very unhygienic and contributes to the spread of diseases like TB and Covid-19. Adding that next to food packets and plastics, tobacco waste accounts for the second most littered items contributing to environmental hazards, People spend a lot on tobacco products instead of spending on food and necessities and many are spending a lot of money on diseases caused by tobacco.
She also informed that Tobacco Free Youth Campaign has been planned for sixty days starting from (31st May to 31st July 2023) which aims to focus on youth by creating awareness, preventing initiation of tobacco use, and assisting users to quit.
Altogether 20 students were awarded Tobacco Free Home Certificates, Welcome Address was delivered by Nilie Metha, Principal, GHSS, and a special song was performed by Greenwood Hr. Sec. School students, invocation was offered by Ketusilie Sakhrie Sr. Chaplain, GHSS, Vote of thanks was pronounced by Dr. Kihito, Jr. Dental Surgeon District Hospital Dimapur. The program was chaired by Benson Sitlhou Asst.Teacher, GHSS.
(Akamla IA Dimapur)
