National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) score card from 2014-2018 has indicated that in Nagaland, 28.3% school children from the age group of 8-13 years are already on tobacco habits.
A press release by National Health Mission (NHM) Nagaland stated the report was presented by additional director State Nodal Officer (SNO), NTCP, DoH&FW, Dr. H Hotokhu Chishi, while presenting the NTCP Score card from 2014-2018 at the orientation and review meeting of National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) on May 28 at IDSP Conference Hall, DH&FW.
Dr. Hotokhu informed that 15% of those children are into smoking while 41.2% school children are still buying tobacco products for their relatives and parents, as indicated by Nagaland School Oral health survery2013-2014. He said this trend was alarming and a great concern for the state as a whole.
Dr. Hotokhu stated that a survey conducted in 2016-2017 indicated that tobacco consumption in Nagaland minimized to 43.3%, smokers reduced to 13.2%. However, secondhand/passive exposure to smoke at home still remains at a staggering percentage of 67.6% and at workplace at 23.3%.
Average monthly expenditure on cigarette hiked up to Rs.1473.9 and average monthly expenditure on “bidi” rose to Rs. 265.5.
Dr. Hotokhu then encouraged the officials present to re-commit themselves and exert extra effort to further reduce the prevalent status.
The programme chaired by director (dental), DoH&FW, Dr. N Savino was attended by district nodal officers, psychologist and social workers from all the districts.
The officials present were also oriented on counseling protocol and protocol of nicotine replacement therapy by DNO, Kohima, Dr.Arenla Walling and DNO, Dimapur, Dr.C.Tetso, respectively.