Nagaland chief secretary Pankaj Kumar IAS described tobacco addiction as a serious concern for everyone, as it caused a drain on the economy and ruined society and family and urged cooperation of all in to give up tobacco and advised the young students to take a pledge not to take tobacco.
Speaking as chief guest at the function on “World No Tobacco Day”( which actually falls on May 31) under the theme “Stop Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products” here at the secretariat conference hall Saturday, the chief secretary expressed concern on high percentage of tobacco consumption, especially Nagaland, which stood second in the country.
He said in the olden days when people lived as hunters in an agricultural society, people used herbs to ease their suffering or consumed tobacco as intoxicant. However, with the advancement of medical sciences and healthy practice of living, it was also required for the present society addicted to tobacco consumption.
While congratulating the department of health family welfare for the initiative to declare tobacco free zone in seven schools of Kohima district, Kumar also appealed to the citizens to speak out on the wrong and harmful effects of tobacco. He encouraged the department to do even better in the days to come.
Also speaking on the occasion, Mission Director, NHM Dr. Sukhato A Sema gave a brief account on tobacco scenario in the state. He pointed out at that Nagaland was the second highest tobacco consumer in India with 57% of its population using tobacco.
Dr. Sukhato also mentioned that as per the global adult tobacco survey 2010 the tobacco users (smokers & users of smokeless tobacco) in Nagaland stood at 57% ; with 48% in urban and l 58.7% in rural areas. The most commonly used tobacco products were-cigarette (26.3%), khaini (26.2%) betel (25%), bidi/biri (11.8%) and pan masala (10.3). Further, Dr. Sema said over 22.5% attempted to quit tobacco.
Citing the Nagaland School Oral Health Survey 2014, Dr.Sukhato said 28.3% of children in the age group of 8-13 used smokeless and 14.8% of them used smoke tobacco. Also 41.2% of children were found buying tobacco.
The programme was chaired by commissioner and secretary H&FW Nagaland M. Patton and highlights included- theme song presented by Rengma Baptist church Kohima, sharing of success story on tobacco free schools by Temsuwapang St. John High School Kohima and headmistress Chandmari higher secondary school Kohima; recitation on No Tobacco by K. Sheileja Chanu Mewi High School Kohima. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. H. Hotokhu Chishi state Nodal officer NTCP.
It may be mentioned that there are 3095 chemicals in smokeless tobacco of which 28 cause cancer. More than 10 lakh Indians die due to tobacco use every year. Tobacco free schools in Kohima district include- St. John School, Mewi High School, Government High School Chandmari, Mt. Carmel Hr.Sec. school, Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School, Chandmari Hr. Sec. School and Bayavu High School