Wokha, Zunheboto & Tuensang lead tobacco consumption
Nzano Humtsoe
DIMAPUR, JUN 23 (NPN): Wokha, Zunheboto and Tuensang have recorded the highest tobacco consumption rates in Nagaland, according to data shared by the State Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), directorate of Health & Family Welfare.
In response to an exclusive query, the official informed that the three districts recorded tobacco prevalence rates ranging from 52.7% to 59.8%, the highest in the state, based on data from the ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR).
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2), 43.3% of adults in Nagaland either smoke tobacco or use smokeless tobacco products, compared to the national average of 28.6%. Nagaland ranks eighth in the country in overall tobacco consumption. The survey found that 25% of men and 0.5% of women currently smoke tobacco, while 39% of adults use smokeless tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco use was reported by 46% of men and 31.5% of women.
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4) showed that 43% of school-going children aged 13-15 years currently use tobacco products, making Nagaland the second-highest state in India for youth tobacco use. Among adolescents, tobacco use was reported by 62% of boys and 24% of girls.
Health officials expressed concern that adolescents are particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction due to their developing brains, increasing the risk of long-term dependency.
Among the various forms of tobacco consumed in Nagaland, pan masala with tobacco and betel quid with tobacco remain the most common. GATS-2 data showed that 21.1% of adults consume pan masala with tobacco, while 17.5% use betel quid with tobacco.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) 2023-24 found that 17.4% of women and 51.2% of men aged 15 years and above use some form of tobacco. This marks an increase from NFHS-5 (2019-21), which recorded tobacco use among 13.7% of women and 48.4% of men. However, officials noted that prevalence has declined from 56.8% recorded under GATS-1 in 2010.
Medical experts warned that tobacco consumption remains a leading cause of preventable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, pregnancy complications, reduced fertility and premature deaths. To address the issue, NTCP Nagaland has intensified awareness and enforcement activities, including school-based programmes, implementation of Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (TOFEI) guidelines, training of health workers and teachers, tobacco-free village campaigns, enforcement of tobacco control laws and cessation services at district hospitals and the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR).
Officials clarified that while NFHS conducts independent surveys, NTCP Nagaland currently lacks the manpower and resources to undertake its own district-wise tobacco prevalence studies.
With Wokha, Zunheboto and Tuensang recording the highest prevalence rates, health officials stressed the need for targeted interventions in these districts while strengthening statewide efforts to curb tobacco use, particularly among the youth.