The District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) held its review meeting at the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s office chamber, Dimapur, on August 6, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Diana Patton, and attended by representatives from various government departments, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organisations.
Welcoming the newly inducted members of the committee, Dr. Diana Patton underscored the vital role of women and civil society organisations in strengthening tobacco control efforts. She said women play a significant role in addressing social issues at the grassroots level and stressed that Nagaland, being a community-based society, needs the active participation of civil society organisations to make tobacco control initiatives successful.
She urged civil society organisations to incorporate awareness programmes on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, not only in schools but also in communities and villages. She said the government has already constituted enforcement squads for effective implementation of tobacco control laws, but their success depends on the support and cooperation of community organisations. She added that without active community participation, even the best programmes would not succeed, and called on all stakeholders to work together to create a tobacco-free society.
During the meeting, District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Dr. Esther Chophy, called for stronger enforcement and greater support from the district administration to effectively implement tobacco control measures across Dimapur.
Presenting the status of tobacco control in the district, Dr. Chophy said sustained awareness campaigns, enforcement drives and community participation have contributed to a steady decline in tobacco use. Referring to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), she said overall tobacco use in Nagaland decreased from 56.8% in 2009-10 to 43.3% in 2016-17, while smoking declined from 31.5% to 13.2% and smokeless tobacco use from 45.3% to 39.0%.
She highlighted the key provisions of the COTPA Act, 2003, including the ban on smoking in public places, prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to or by minors, and the restriction on the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions. She urged schools, parents and the community not to send children to purchase tobacco products and stressed the need for regular enforcement drives involving the police and district administration.
Expressing concern over limited resources, Dr. Chophy said the programme receives only ₹10,000 for three months, which is inadequate for regular inspections and enforcement activities. She appealed to the district administration for additional financial and logistical support to strengthen tobacco control efforts and thanked all stakeholders for their continued cooperation in creating a tobacco-free environment.
Dr. Chophy also highlighted the progress made under the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions initiative, stating that 151 educational institutions in Dimapur district have been declared tobacco-free, comprising 138 schools and 13 colleges. She further informed the committee that four villages in the district have also been declared tobacco-free, reflecting the growing participation of educational institutions and communities in tobacco control efforts.
The committee also reviewed the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Programme in the district and discussed measures to strengthen enforcement of the COTPA Act, 2003. Members deliberated on enhancing inter-departmental coordination, promoting public awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco use, and ensuring stricter compliance with tobacco control regulations.
(I.Tiakumla.Ao IA Dimapur)
