Shillong: Meghalaya officials are pushing a state-wide crackdown on tobacco use. The campaign, branded as Tobacco: Business of Death, marks the state’s effort to observe World No Tobacco Day 2026. A follow-up event takes place today at 10 am in Shillong, featuring Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla as the chief guest.
The initiative hit massive numbers. Over six lakh students across 9,312 schools and 55 colleges joined the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions program. This effort netted 54 lakh community signatures. South West Garo Hills stood out as a top performer. In that district alone, 625 schools held rallies with 19,916 students participating, while locals contributed 55,448 signatures.
Deputy Commissioner Anendya Raajsshre credited the success to teamwork between the Medical Cell, the District School Education Office, and block-level staff. She said, "Such initiatives are vital for safeguarding children and the youth from the hazards of tobacco." State Nodal Officer Nabaneeta D. Mawrie backed this urgency, noting that tobacco illnesses kill nearly 8,000 people in Meghalaya every year.
Today’s event in the capital includes quiz awards, cultural shows, and a prize ceremony. It serves as a capstone for the state project, which also recognized schools with awards at the block, district, and state levels. Samagra Shiksha Project Director Richa Kulkarni confirmed the scale shows a collective resolve to protect the next generation.
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