Tobacco consumption among youths in Nagaland alarming

Head of institutions from both private and government schools under Dimapur District with the organisers and resource person during the training held on October 30. 

Dimapur, October 30 (MExN): In Nagaland, tobacco users between the age group of 15-24 year is 28.6% “which is an alarming rate and a great concern.” Tobacco consumption pattern among youths in Nagaland is similar to adult consumptions and is much higher than consumption by India youths (12.4%). 

This was disclosed by Dr. Antoly Suu, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur during the one-day training on Tobacco Free Educational Institutions for head of the institutions under Dimapur on October 30. The training organized by District Tobacco Cell and Rotary Club Dimapur was held at Rotary Centre. 

Addressing the gathering as resource person, Dr Suu highlighted the tobacco scenario among school and colleges in Dimapur. As per a recent study conducted in 25 schools and colleges in Dimapur District with participants between the age group of 15-24 years, it was found that 10% of the students surveyed smoked tobacco products, while 10.8% consumed paan and 26% chew tobacco. The survey also showed that the adolescent period was the most vulnerable period as more than 85% of the tobacco users had first tried tobacco during this period. 

Dr Suu also informed that out of the 3397 students surveyed, nice students were found to have pre-cancerous lesions. 

Dr C Tetseo, State Nodal Officer, NTCP highlighted on the ‘Guidelines on Tobacco Free Institute.’ He emphasised that the guideline given are not fixed and schools can improve on it by incorporating innovative ideas and policy in their respective institute so that tobacco control measures are fully integrated into the institutional system. 

He urged the educational institutions to enforce tobacco free policy as students being in their formative period can be taught to inculcate healthy habits. He stated that as the brain develops, we form habits and when these habits are reinforced, it becomes a permanent way of life. “Children who are exposed to tobacco, alcohol or drugs and indulged in these bad habits during this age, it becomes more difficult for them to kick the habit later on. Thus it is important that educational institutes implement tobacco free policy and protect the future of our children from this vice,” he stated. 

Ashok Agarwal, President of Rotary Club Dimapur delivered the welcome address and R. Amongla Jamir, District Educational Officer Dimapur exhorted the participants. A short speech was also delivered by RS Panesar, Senior Rotarian. The program was chaired by Imkumla Aier, Psychologist, NTCP Dimapur. Dr T Pangjung Sangtam, Chief Medical Officer Dimapur also expressed gratitude to Rotary Club Dimapur for collaborating with the Medical Department in organizing the programme.

The programme was attended by 50 head of institutions from both private and government schools under Dimapur District.