District Tobacco Control Cell, National Tobacco Control Programme Wokha organized the World No Tobacco Day on 31st May 2023 at the Conference Hall of Lotha Hoho building with Deputy Commissioner, Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan, and Jr. Director H& FW, Nagaland, Dr. Merebeni Odyuo as the special guest and guest of honor respectively.

Deputy Commissioner said the use of tobacco does just negative impact on the health of an individual which also endangers the health and environment where the DC stated that sensitizing the people and spreading awareness about the harmful effects and use of tobacco products is very important as it the only way make them understand the ill effect that it has on individual health. And urged all to come together and run a campaign across the district to make Wokha district free from tobacco and also to take a pledge to take action against all forms of danger associated with tobacco.

He also stated that with the cooperation from the School Education department in the district ensure that all schools in Wokha district are 100% free tobacco zone.

Jr. Director Department of H&FW, Dr. Merebeni Odyuo, while giving a brief highlight about the launching of the Tobacco Free Home Campaign, said the objective of launching a tobacco-free home campaign aims to take anti-tobacco campaign from schools to homes creating awareness about the danger of tobacco use including smoking, smokeless tobacco products, and indiscriminate spiting, it also aims to improve compliance with tobacco control laws and reduce tobacco use in Nagaland, the campaign indents to engage student’s in raising anti-tobacco awareness within their homes and ultimately bring about significant impact on the overall behavior of the student.

Creating Tobacco-Free Home Campaign stands as one of the effective ways to reduce tobacco use including smokeless products and in this initiative the students themselves will bring awareness amongst parents and families regarding the danger of smoking second-hand, chewing tobacco. Dr. Odyuo also urged all to come together and work towards creating tobacco-free homes let us educate our families and communities and extend support for tobacco users who wants to quit and create a healthier and safer environment for everyone.

During the occasion the DC, felicitated Yikhum Village with the Best performing Tobacco Free Village, while Dr. Odyuo handed over Tobacco Free Home Campaign certificates to parents of Fernbrook School Wokha.

The function was chaired by CMO Wokha, Dr. Zuben Kikon; Dr. Krunichuno Rino SMO, ENT spoke on the theme “We need food, not tobacco,” while a vote of thanks was proposed by Medical Officer, Dr. Zechanoi Ezong.

(DPRO & IA, Wokha)