Under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Awareness programme for “tobacco control in times of covid-19” was held on 8th September 2020 in Mon town council conference hall with Additional Deputy Commissioner Mon, (in-charge Aboi) Rahul Mali, IAS.

 In his short speech ADC said cigarettes and other tobacco products act (COTPA) 2003 was applied by government of India since 2008, but Nagaland enforced it only from 2012 and confined it to only two district, Dimapur and Kohima. Remaining 9 district, 6 were included further and recently 3 districts were included ie Mon, Tuensang and Mokokchung. He said that the main reason why teenagers students and all people are consuming tobacco is lack of awareness. He appealed to ward presidents to create awareness amongst all people in their respective wards about harmful effect of tobacco consumption and save our youth students and our people. Out of total cancer cases nearly 45% in males and 20% females are due to tobacco use.

The programme was chaired by E.Nyeamying Konyak District Consultant (NTCP) Mon. Dr. I. Simon Sumi District Nodal Officer Mon (NTCP) delivered a speech on “harmful effects of tobacco consumption”. 7 (seven) ward presidents attended the programme.

(APRO Aboi)