The World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed every year on May 31 to spread awareness about the dangers of using tobacco and how health problems can be tackled by doctors when one quits smoking. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has informed that the day takes more importance this year as the world battles COVID-19. This year, WNTD was celebrated under the theme, “Commit to Quit”.
Kohima: WNTD was observed in the Conference hall of Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), Kohima.
In his speech, special guest director (family welfare), Dr. Thorsie Katiry encouraged the officers to set an example to others during the pandemic, by staying away from tobacco products.
In his presentation, state nodal officer National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Dr. C. Tetseo talked about the dangers of smokeless tobacco which was often ignored.
He informed about magnesium carbonate, which was used as anti-caking agent in all Gutka and pan masala. He said that as people were consuming this chemical far in excess of the daily limit and could be dangerous for those whose renal function was compromised.
Meanwhile, director (health) Dr. Vikato Kinimi released the booklet on “a pilot study on cost expenditure of tobacco consumption in Nagaland’’ undertaken by state tobacco control cell, Nagaland.
As part of WNTD, the Kohima district tobacco control cell (DTCC) organised a virtual poster making event based on the 2021 theme for students of tobacco free educational institutions.
Altogether, 57 students from 22 tobacco free educational institutions participated.
District nodal officer, district tobacco control cell Kohima, Dr. Arenla Walling also informed that IEC activities were carried out in Kohima to mark the day.
Continuing with the quest to help students develop life skills, attitude and values out of the textbook learning and also to engage the learners’ actively at home during this lockdown period, Ministers’ Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School (MHBHSS) Kohima conducted online painting competition on WNTD under the topic “say no to tobacco and its products” for classes IX, X and XII.
Mokokchung: DTCC Mokokchung observed WNTD at Dr Imkongliba memorial district hospital Mokokchung.
A press release through the CMO’s office stated that a briefing was given to the hospital staff by NTCP district nodal officer, Dr. Taliwati.
He emphasised on the use of tobacco and its harmful effects especially during the pandemic and how spitting could be a major contributor in spreading COVID-19.
An essay competition was conducted online for school students on the theme. The first prize was bagged by Akumienla class XII of Queen Mary Higher Secondary School; Moluren Longkhum from class IX of Assam Rifles High School was placed in the second and the third position went to Sunepbenla T Imchen class X of Edith Higher Secondary School.
Wokha: WNTD was observed at Dr. Motsuo Memorial district hospital Wokha. The programme was scaled down to a small gathering where NTCP district nodal officer Dr. Daisy Ovung addressed the health workers on the ill effects of tobacco consumption and handed over pamphlets on self guide to quit tobacco and hand sanitisers.
Dr. Daisy informed that an online painting contest on the theme was also conducted where more than 200 students participated from across the district and names of the winners were declared. Yikhum, a tobacco-free village also took part in the celebration by conducting a cleanliness drive in the village.
Dimapur: Agape Higher Secondary School (AHSS) Chümoukedima observed a virtual WNTD on the theme “quit tobacco”. The day started with an online art competition organised by DTCC Dimapur followed by assistant teacher Ghunato Chishi highlighting the significance of the day.
The Highland Hall School (HHS) Naga United Village, observed. Students participated in the online drawing/ sketch competition activities from class I to X. The main target was to create awareness among the students and parents on the ill effects of tobacco.
Zunheboto: NTCP Zunheboto organised “virtual poem and slogan competition” in commemoration of WNTD. In a press release, district media officer Shekho Sophie
informed that winners of the poem competition were: Sukhusho K. Rotokha (first), Little Spring School; Akuvu Easter (second), Olympic higher secondary school, Tokavi K Zhimo (third), Immanuel higher secondary school.
Under the slogan competition, Mughakini Joy, Olympic higher secondary school, Elliot Awomi, Cornerstone higher secondary school and Kaino Z.Zhimo of seven home school bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively. The competition was attended by six tobacco free schools under Zunheboto.
Tuensang: Assam Rifles in collaboration with Youth for Society (YFS) Shamator, organised an awareness campaign against use of tobacco at Shamator, Tuensang.
The aim of the campaign was to spread awareness among the youth about the dangers of using tobacco and how health problems can be tackled when one quits tobacco.