Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Nagaland observed World No Tobacco Day on May 31 under the theme Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction. The Department of Health and Family Welfare organized various events across the state through the National Tobacco Control Programme to address rising nicotine use and advocate for community-led prevention.
At the state-level event in Kohima, Health and Family Welfare Secretary S. Tainiu announced that the government is moving toward stricter administrative enforcement. Officials are currently drafting Tobacco Vendor Licensing rules in partnership with municipal authorities. Furthermore, the state has established a committee to safeguard public health policies from tobacco industry interference. Enforcement teams also reported penalizing over 400 violations near educational institutions last year for breaching designated tobacco-free zones.
Health experts at the event pointed to the increasing prevalence of oral cancer linked to smokeless tobacco. Dr. Mereninla Senlem urged religious leaders and youth ministries to join prevention efforts, while National Health Mission Director Dr. Keveduyi Theyo highlighted the importance of faith-based groups in steering young people toward healthy lifestyles. Technical sessions provided deeper insights into the psychology of addiction and the marketing tactics used by tobacco companies.
Educational programs took place in various districts, including Dimapur, where students participated in advocacy competitions. In Zunheboto, legal experts educated the community on the COTPA Act of 2003, detailing the legal prohibitions regarding public smoking and the distribution of tobacco products near schools. The day concluded across the state with anti-tobacco pledges and calls for stronger local initiatives to protect public health.
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