Nagaland strengthens Anti-Tobacco Campaign across state
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 31
Dimapur District observed ‘World No Tobacco Day 2018’ on the theme ‘Tobacco and Heart Diseases’ here at Greenwood Higher Secondary School, Kuda Village (Nagarjan) on Thursday with chief judicial magistrate & secretary, Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA), Ajongba Imchen, as chief guest and chief medical officer, Dimapur, Dr. Vikato Kinimi as guest of honour.
State nodal officer, NTCP, Dr. Hotokhu Chishi, in his keynote address dwelled on the harmful effects and diseases caused by tobacco. Dr. Hotokhu stated that tobacco use is a risk factor for six of the eight leading cause of death worldwide. He further highlighted the tobacco use prevalence rate of Nagaland.
Nagaland has significantly reduced consumption of tobacco use as per 2018 survey and has moved from second place to eighth place which can be attributed to the Anti-Tobacco Campaign rampantly carried out in the State.
However, he lamented that Nagaland has the highest number of Nasopharyngeal Cancer in the country and also the prevalence of tobacco use among children below 15 years of age in the State as per a survey carried out by the Department of Health & Family Welfare.
He stated that to impose a total prohibition of tobacco in the State, Nagaland has lots of strengths; it is a faith-based community and prohibition of tobacco will not lead to any burden of shifting for alternate livelihood as there is no cultivation or production of tobacco in the state and this prohibition will not have any negative impact on the domestic economy.
He hoped that in future Nagaland will be a tobacco-free state with the active participation of NGOs, pressure groups, etc to back the anti-tobacco campaign.
The chief guest, guest of honour and district nodal officer, NTCP, in their respective address acknowledged Greenwood HSS as the ‘best school’ in the anti-tobacco campaign in educational institutions.
Highlighting on the activities of DDLSA, the CJM said legal authorities and government agencies have constitutional obligations to inform common citizens about their rights and that the Constitution also guarantees citizens to know their rights. Ajongba Imchen said that unless and until the common people know their rights, power and functions, the state would not progress. Informing about the activities and various services provided by DDLSA including free legal services to the poor and needy, he urged upon the gathering to create awareness to the general public on the services provided by DDLSA.
CMO Dimapur, Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi, informed that in Dimapur District, 107 schools had so far been declared as ‘tobacco free zone’ and thanked officers of different departments, district administration, NGOs and others who worked tirelessly for the success. He called upon all to join hands together and make Dimapur a tobacco free district.
Earlier, district nodal officer, NTCP, Dr. C. Tetseo in his acknowledgement note congratulated Greenwood School for being the “best” tobacco free schools.
Resource persons including DDLSA panel lawyers Zuchumpeni Ezung and Sentimenla Tzudir, spoke on the topics ‘COPTA Act 2003’ and ‘POCSO Act/ Child Abuse’, respectively.
Students of Greenwood HSS presented a special number and Highland Hall School students performed a skit. Deputy CMO, Dimapur, Antoly Swu, chaired the programme and chairman, PNF, Fr. Joe, proposed vote of thanks.
