Joint director and state nodal officer National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Dr. Chiekroshuyi Tetseo, while referring to report of Global Youth Tobacco Survey-4 2019, said 43 percent of age group between 13-15 years in Nagaland were using tobacco.
He was speaking at an orientation programme on revised guidelines for Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) and introduction of tobacco free Nagaland App organised by District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) NTCP Wokha Tuesday at the Conference Hall, Hammock Resort Wokha, informed a press release by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Wokha office.
Emphasising on the alarming rate of tobacco use in Nagaland and the need for intervention, Dr. Tetseo said, “Huge segment of our population is taking tobacco and many people avoid the topic.”
He said tobacco intervention was important for brain development and reinforcement of behaviour. He also explained the objectives of tobacco free educational institution and how vulnerable section of the society has been affected due to tobacco use.
Dr. Tetseo said the programme was organised to remind the educational institutions of activities related to tobacco use and update on the revised guidelines issued by the government of India.
On tobacco free Nagaland App, he said the new app would be very comprehensive and would be used extensively at homes and educational institutions.
Dr. Tetseo also appreciated the active role of NTCP Wokha in controlling tobacco usage and described it as one of the best performing districts in the state. Regarding legal provision on tobacco, Dr. Tetseo informed about COTPA 2003 and the provisions under it.
Resource person, deputy director and state nodal Officer, National Oral Health Programme, department of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Meribeni Odyuo spoke on the need to strengthen tobacco control in educational institutions.
She lauded the efforts of tobacco free village, Yikhum for establishing a de-addiction centre. “The enthusiasm they have shown is commendable and we should instil the ill effects of tobacco use in younger generation”, she encouraged.
The tobacco free Nagaland App was launched by senior district education officer, Wokha Achilo Murry along with Dr. Tetseo.