Along with the rest of the world, District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across the state commemorated “World No Tobacco Day” through walkathon and awareness programme with school and college students on May 31.
Phek: Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) in collaboration with National Tobacco Control Program, Phek organized Walkathon and awareness programme at Phek town.
Speaking on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 or COTPA, 2003, N. Longshithung Ezung, chairman PDLSA and district and session judge appraised that the Act prohibited smoking of tobacco in public places, except in special smoking zones in hotels, restaurants and airports and open spaces.
He said that advertisement of tobacco products including cigarettes was prohibited, while tobacco products cannot be sold to person below the age of 18 years, and in places within 100 meters radius from the outer boundary of an institution of education, which included school, colleges and institutions of higher learning established or recognized by an appropriate authority.
Highlighting the punishments under COTPA 2003, N. Longshithung Ezung pointed out that smoking in public places was liable to be punished with a fine which may extend upto Rs. 200. He informed that displaying or causing to display or permitting or authorizing to display any advertisement of cigarettes or any other tobacco products or selling or causing to sell or permitting or distributing or any other tobacco products is liable to imprisonment which may extend to 2 years or with fine which may extend upto Rs, 1000 or both.
Dr. Reyosalu Lase Viza, district nodal officer, National Tobacco Control Program, Phek gave a short speech on the effect and impact of tobacco consumption.
The program was chaired by Vethothi Vero, panel lawyer, PDLSA, while invocation prayer was pronounced by pastor, Phek Town Baptist Church.
More than 230 students participated in the programme.
Kiphire: In Kiphire, the Kiphire District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) organized walkathon.
Mezivolu T. Therieh, NJS chief judicial magistrate and secretary KDLSA in his introductory speech urged the gathering not to form a habit of indulging in use of tobacco products.
Ben Longkumer, superintendent of Police and executive member KDLSA flagged off the ceremony.
In the best placard competition, the first prize was bagged by Tsarimong of Loyala Higher Secondary School ICEU, second prize by Zisaji of Government College and Rilila of Loyala Higher Secondary School. The winners were given cash prize of Rs. 3000, Rs. 2000 and Rs. 1000 with citations respectively.
This was followed by walkathon with placards from DC’s residence to public ground by students, teachers, district civil and police officials, PLVs and members of DLSA.
Longleng: Longleng District Legal Services Authority (LDLSA) organized awareness programme at Government Higher Secondary School, where resource person was Dr. Bongau Phom, junior dental surgeon District Hospital Longleng. Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Chinglong Phom, head master Government High School Longleng while the programme was chaired by Imlichuba Phom, PLV front office, DLSA.
Mon: Mon District Legal Services Authority (MDLSA) organized an awareness programme where the theme speaker was Dr. Ngampa, District Hospital Mon, while M. Moba, retainer lawyer spoke on Right to Education. Keynote address was delivered by Neiko Kanuo, chairman MDLSA. The programme was chaired by Dominic Kaiba, panel lawyer MDLSA.
Secretary PDLSA, Dr Savino nodal officer NTCP Peren spoke on ill effects of tobacco with statistics in Nagaland.
Peren: Peren District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) organized an awareness programme at Baptist Higher Secondary School. Somet C. Chang, chief judicial magistrate Peren highlighted the Juvenile Justice Act and also the legal system that was prevalent in the country and encouraged the students to say no to tobacco use. Students were also briefed about the ill effect of tobacco in the society and the health hazards of the tobacco to an individual. Advocate Italang, public prosecutor Peren spoke on COTPA 2003.
Wokha: Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA) organized an awareness programme where speech on anti tobacco day was delivered by resource person, Renbemo Tungoe, assistant public prosecutor Wokha. Significance of the day was delivered by advocate Gracy Ezung, panel lawyer WDLSA, while brief overview of Legal Services Authority by advocate David Ezung, panel lawyer WDLSA. The programme was chaired by Kimiri Tungoe, PLV WDLSA.
Tuensang: Tuensang District Legal Services Authority (TDLSA) organized awareness programme at Government Higher Secondary School. Introductory note on the theme was delivered by Mayang Lima, principal district and session judge Tuensang. Yimtsusangla Chang, retainer lawyer TDLSA spoke on prohibition of smoking and prohibition of ragging and chairman TDLSA. N. Kano judicial magistrate 1st Class Tuensang and secretary TDLSA chaired the programme.
Zunheboto: Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (ZDLSA) organized awareness programme where significance of the day was pronounced by Tovi Z. Yephto, retainer lawyer ZDLSA and short speech by Niechochiyi Suyie, chairman ZDLSA.
Introduction was delivered by Atoka Achumi, secretary ZDLSA, while closing remarks by Easter H. Yepthomi, panel lawywer ZDLSA. There was distribution of anti tobacco pamphlets.
Dimapur: Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) organized awareness seminar with students and faculty of Yemhi Memorial College. Ajongba Imchen, secretary DDLSA and chief judicial magistrate, Dimapur urged the attendees to avail the legal services being provided by the DDLSA.
Kekhriele-u, panel lawyer DDLSA enlightened the participants on the services being provided by the DDLSA, while Sentimenla, panel lawyer DDLSA highlighted the salient provisions of the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008.
Zuchumbeni Ngullle, panel lawyer DDLSA and Moatila Ao, panel lawyer DDLSA, spoke on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, and the adverse effects of tobacco use respectively. Welcome address was delivered by Temjensangla, assistant professor, Commerce Dept. Yemhi Memorial College and the programme was chaired by Vimeno, panel lawyer DDLSA.
Kohima: Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) organized awareness programme at Government Middle School Mima.
Speaking on COPTA 2003, Thejapfütuo Khezhie, panel lawyer KDLSA cautioned that use of tobacco was not only harmful to human life but also effected society socially and economically.
Sanjib Rana, panel lawyer KDLSA spoke on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. 17 students from class 6-8 participated in poster making competition where first prize was bagged by Visaneinuo of class 6, second prize by Neilssienuo of class 7 and third prize by Mankhu of class 8. Special song was presented by GMS Mima. Keynote address was delivered by Mezalhounuo Angami, head teacher, GMS Mima and prize distribution by Neichüzo Keyie, chairman, Mima Village Council.
Friday, May 1, 2026