All police stations in Kohima district along with other institutions have been declared as tobacco free zones at the quarterly meeting of Kohima District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) on Tobacco Control at DC’s Conference Hall, Kohima on November 5.
The declaration was made by director (dental) directorate of H&FW Dr. N Savino.
At present, there were 24 tobacco free dental clinics, eight tobacco free villages, seven tobacco free hospitals, clinic and nursing homes and 87 tobacco free schools and colleges in the state.
Dr. Savino in his brief address said it was encouraging to see many institutions been declared as tobacco free institutions however, the same was yet to be executed in hotels and restaurants.
Reminding on the ill effects of using tobacco, Dr. Savino insisted that the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) must target hotels and restaurants.
He also informed that Nagas have many cancer cases and were referred outside the state out of which 50-60% cancer cases were related to mouth, throat and lungs affected directly or indirectly related due to use of tobacco.
DTCC official informed that the team has raided many shops and will continue to raid and for which it sought the support of the police and dobasis (DBs).
Chairman DLCC and deputy commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie reminded that declaration was pertinent and insisted that more efforts should be made on the action to be initiated.
SP Kohima, Kevi Sophie assured that separate zones within the police stations will be identified for smoking zone.
The house has also suggested setting set up committee to implement effective measures on maintaining the status of tobacco free police stations.
Further, the DC directed the DTCC to implement seizure of trade licences for repetitive offenders under Section 6 (b) of COPTA 2003 in those areas where tobacco free zones have been declared.
DTCC member, Achila Walling highlighted the activities of the cell.
Following are the police stations declared as tobacco free zones:
Kezocha Police Station, Khuzama Police Station, South Police Station, North Police Station, Women Police Station, Chiephobozou Police Station, Tseminyu Police Station, Zubza Police Station, North Traffic Control, South Traffic Control, SP Office, Kohima, Mobile Unit and institutions: Baptist College, Kohima including Sechü Campus and Christ for the Nation College Kohima.