The District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) Quarterly Meeting under the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Wokha, was held at the DC’s Conference Hall on October 30, 2026, with Deputy Commissioner & Chairman of DTCC and DLCC, NTCP, Wokha, K. Mhathung Tsanglao, chairing the session.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner launched the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 4.0, a 60‐day initiative designed to intensify awareness, enforcement, and community participation in the fight against tobacco use. On the occasion, Wokha Town Council and Police Station Wokha were declared Tobacco Free Offices, marking a significant step forward in the district’s anti‐tobacco drive.

Dr. Kihito Awomi, Senior Dental Surgeon and District Nodal Officer (NTCP), Wokha, presented the activities of the District Tobacco Control Cell and outlined the objectives of TFYC 4.0. He emphasized strategies for declaring more offices and villages tobacco free, while reviewing the progress achieved so far.

The district’s current tobacco‐free status was highlighted, with 119 educational institutions, 47 health centers, one dental clinic, four offices, one police station, one bank, and seven villages declared tobacco free. At the same time, 30 defaulters were booked under Section 4 and Section 6(a,b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003. Work activities reported included coverage of both public and private schools, counselling of 132 clients, pharmaceutical support provided to eight individuals, 20 IEC coverages, eight focus group discussions, two community awareness programmes, and other related initiatives.

The meeting also addressed challenges, noting that 43.3 percent of adults in Nagaland are tobacco users, a figure significantly higher than the national average of 28.6 percent. Wokha, Zunheboto, and Tuensang districts were identified as leading in tobacco consumption.

The strategies of TFYC 4.0 aim to achieve a 50 percent increase in coverage, with strict enforcement of the COTPA Act, enhanced public awareness, educational outreach, and widespread dissemination of information across both public and private platforms.

(DPRO & IA, Wokha)