Nagaland to step-up fight against tobacco menace

April 23, 2023 23 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, APRIL 23 (MExN): Concerned over the interference of Tobacco industry undermining efforts made by the government and other stakeholders to reduce tobacco/smoking prevalence, the State Level Co-Ordination Committee under the National Tobacco Control Programme on Saturday made a number of significant resolve in order to combat this threat.

The resolutions were adopted at the 1st quarterly meeting which was held under the chairmanship of Commissioner & Secretary, Department pf H&FW, Kikheto Sema and attended by representatives from home department, police, school education, youth resources and health department, a press release issued by the Department of Health & Family Welfare stated.

For a start, an ‘empowered committee’ will be constituted to monitor tobacco industry interference in the state in line with WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article no 5.3. Besides, no department or organization will be allowed to interact with the tobacco industry except through the empowered committee.

To further strengthen tobacco free educational institution campaign, the school education department and police would be providing instruction to all districts to deputize head constables and above in the police department and the teachers in all educational institutions as ‘enforcement officers.’

The committee also decided to introduce vendor licensing of tobacco products in urban bodies after working out a modality. In view of high prevalence tobacco among the children, the committee resolved to initiate serious action against those who sell tobacco to minors and also to those selling tobacco near educational institutions.

In addition, inclusion of COTPA 2003 will also be implemented in all the districts, it also resolved.

Sema, meanwhile, acknowledged the important role played by the police and school education department in carrying enforcement and awareness activities. He also requested all departments to do what is possible to protect younger generation from tobacco addiction.

Dr Arenla Walling, State Nodal Officer, NTCP in a brief presentation on the current scenario of Tobacco use in the state and ongoing NTCP activities viewed the data of tobacco consumption very serious as 43% of school children between the age group of 13-15 years in the state are tobacco users.