KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 24 (MExN): The National Tobacco Control Programme, Nagaland launched the state level 60-day "Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0" on September 24. The campaign was officially launched by Dr E Motsuthung Patton, Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, at Mount Olive College, Kohima.
A critical initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the campaign is aimed at creating awareness and promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle among the youth of Nagaland, and will run from September 24 to November 24. This campaign was also simultaneously launched in the 11 NTCP districts by the District Tobacco Control cells.
In his address, Patton highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment to eradicate tobacco use among young people. He remarked "Our collective effort in this campaign is crucial for fostering a healthier, tobacco-free environment for our youth. We must leverage every tool at our disposal to safeguard our future generations."
Dr Arenla Walling, Joint Director (Dental) and State Nodal Officer for the NTCP, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the campaign’s strategies. Special presentation was performed by Female Voice, Mount Olive College, Kohima followed by an anti-tobacco pledge and vote of thanks by Dr. I Simon Sumi, District Nodal Officer (NTCP), Kohima.
Earlier, Nievepolu Tetseo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Mount Olive College, Kohima, chaired the event, and welcome address was delivered by Dr Koseno, Principal of Mount Olive College.
Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 is dedicated to reducing tobacco consumption among youth through comprehensive public education, regulatory enforcement, and community engagement, supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and stakeholders departments.
According to a press release, the campaign will engage schools, colleges, and community organizations across Nagaland, conducting workshops, awareness drives, and interactive sessions with students and young adults. With tobacco use remaining a major health risk, especially among adolescents, this campaign seeks to inspire the youth to lead tobacco-free lives.
This 60-day initiative aims to further combat tobacco use among the youth with a focus on four key strategies.
In the first, it will provide public awareness by intensifying efforts to educate the community on the detrimental health effects of tobacco.
The second strategy is TOFEI compliance which will strive to ensure adherence to the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) norms to create a healthier learning environments. The third strategy is COTPA enforcement- to strengthen the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 and fourthly, promoting and supporting the establishment of tobacco-free communities.
In addition, this year, the campaign will also lay emphasis on strategy 5- amplifying social media engagement to actively involve youth and shield children from tobacco industry tactics. By harnessing the power of digital platforms, the campaign seeks to amplify its message and encourage community participation, the press release stated.
