Anti-tobacco rally at Wokha, Mon organized

KOHIMA: Along with the rest of the world, Wokha and Mon district also observed the ‘World No Tobacco Day’. In Wokha, the programme held at DBHSS Youth Centre was organized by the District Tobacco Control Cell, National Tobacco Control Programme, Wokha with ADC Wokha Andrew C Imti and SDPO Wokha Imkongsangba as the special guest and the guest of honour respectively. The programme was held on the theme ‘Tobacco and Lung Health’, stated a release.

ADC Imti said awareness generation is very important among school children about the harmful effects of tobacco products and to control or reduce the use of tobacco because it affects our health and economy. He appealed to the school children attending the programme to spread awareness among fellow friends and family on the harmful effects of tobacco.

SDPO Imkongsangba spoke on the legal aspects pertaining to specific law about COTPA Act-2003 banning smoking in public places and laws governing the storing and selling of tobacco products by shopkeepers near educational institutions. He also opined that awareness programmes will have a great impact to curb the menace of tobacco.

DTO Wokha, Dr. Benchilo Ngullie, highlighted the negative aspects of tobacco use which causes many health problems and even death in many cases. She also appealed to the students to make every day a ‘No Tobacco Day’.

Highlights of the programme included the presentation of songs by students of Parennial Montessori School and a short play on harmful effects of tobacco by Saron Youth. The programme was chaired by CMO Wokha, Dr. Robin Lotha while vote of thanks was proposed by Dy. CMO, Dr. Zuben Kikon.

MON: The ‘World No Tobacco Day’ programme under the theme ‘Tobacco and Lung Health’ was held at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Mon with Thavaseelan K, Deputy Commissioner Mon as the special guest.

Thavaseelan stated that over the years, there has been generally a descending trend of smoking in Nagaland. But the number of people who use tobacco in other forms has seen a significant increase. This is a serious concern. He added that lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are the major problems.

The DC further mentioned that a specific day was chosen as ‘World No Tobacco Day’ to raise awareness about the deadly effects of tobacco-use and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. A person who smokes is not only harming himself or herself but also others as others nearby become second-hand and third-hand smokers.

He also stated that, as per studies, 68% of the population is exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS) in their homes where parents or someone else smokes. As much as 22% of people who visit public places are exposed to SHS and 27% of people are exposed to SHS in their workplaces including government offices. He also added that there is already a law which bans smoking in public places but enforcement of the same is a cause for concern.

Dr. I. Simon Sumi, District Nodal Officer, NTCP Mon, who was the theme speaker, said that tobacco is consumed in two forms namely ‘Smoking’ (in the forms of cigarette, bidi, hookah etc.) and ‘Smokeless’ (in the forms of paan, gutka, khaini, Talab, Rajniganda etc). He also mentioned that there are three types of smokers — Active, Passive (second-hand smokers) and the third-hand smokers.

He emphasized on the effect of tobacco in the lungs such as infections that inflames air sacs in one or both lungs which may get filled with fluid subsequently.

Dr. Kechongol Sophie, Chief Medical Officer, Mon chaired the programme.

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