District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) Zunheboto at its district level co-ordination meeting stressed on the need for more awareness and enforcement for effective implementation of tobacco control laws.
The meeting was held at DC conference hall, Zunheboto on October 23 chaired by DC Zunheboto, Peter Lichamo.
At the meeting, the house also discussed in declaring government offices and public institutions as tobacco free zone.
A press release from CMO office Zunheboto district media officer, Shekho Sophie stated that, Dr. K. Akaho Sema, deputy CMO-cum-nodal officer, NTCP briefed about the harmful use of tobacco.
He stated that consumption of tobacco affects heart, liver and lungs. He also highlighted about the various health effects of using tobacco and elaborated about the risk factor and consequences of tobacco use. He motivated the committee members to create more awareness.
Dental surgeon, DH, Zunheboto, Dr. Esther Ngullie highlighted about the activities carried out in the district.
She said DTCC has conducted awareness programme in ten schools covering 1940 students and a community level awareness programme in September 2019.
Representative from ANPSA Zunheboto unit shared on the positive changes after awareness programme conducted in schools. Vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Esther Ngullie and the meeting was attended by DC, SP, ADC, deputy CMO, principal, Government College, principal, GHSS, ZAPO, STH, church leaders, DBs, ANPSA, dental surgeon, DH, and medical staff.
DEF Phek sensitized on harmful effects of tobacco
Meanwhile, orientation programme on tobacco control and COTPA Act 2003 was held on October 15 for DEF Phek, where officers and jawans were sensitised on the harmful effects of tobacco which was preventable.
A press release from CMO office district media officer Phek, Kutolu Nakro stated that, resource person, Dr. Reyosalu Lase Vizo district nodal officer (DNO), NTCP Phek reminded the gathering that the worst among its harmful effects was oral cancer. He said that in Nagaland many people died of oral cancer and tobacco related diseases and many more were suffering. She called upon the jawans to be a role model as they were the one enforcing the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Acts (COTPA) 2003 in the district.
She also talked about e-cigarrettes, where youth have started taking in cities and asked the jawans to check for e-cigarettes also during the enforcement drives.
The programme was chaired by SDPO Phek, James Ovung and began with an invocation by Linda Thupitor, women leader Police Baptist Church DEF Phek. Welcome address was delivered by addl SP Phek, Tokavi Achumi. Pamphlets on COTPA 2003, harmful effects of tobacco, no smoking signages and posters on oral cancer were distributed.