State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoH&FW) Nagaland has asked all schools to observe “World No Tobacco Day” on May 31 under the World Health Organization (WHO) 2024 theme, “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.”
In a press release, STCC has informed all the schools to organise a short programme, or allocate a few minutes during the school assembly to inform students about the 2024 theme and the importance of making the school environments tobacco-free.
STCC said the participation of schools was crucial in fostering a healthier, tobacco-free environment for our students. By taking part in this initiative, STCC said children can be protected from the harmful effects of tobacco and promote their well-being.
STCC said the 2024 theme highlights the critical importance of shielding children from the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry. It said the tobacco industry spends approximately 8 billion dollars annually on various forms of advertising aimed at influencing and interfering with young people.
STCC said these tactics are designed to replace their deceased customers with new, young consumers. Deceptive marketing strategies include: Exploiting the widespread use of smartphones and social media to target younger demographics; incentivizing vendors near schools to prominently display tobacco products; using sleek, colourful point-of-sale displays to attract young people’s attention, often placing products at children’s eye level and near items like toys and sweets; promoting flavoured tobacco products, such as menthol cigarettes and candy-flavoured e-cigarettes, which mask the harshness of tobacco and make it easier for young, non-smokers to start using them.