Nagaland launches Tobacco Free Youth campaign 3.0

In a unified push toward safeguarding youth health and promoting a tobacco-free generation, the Government of Nagaland has officially launched the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 across the state on Thursday in different districts. Spearheaded by the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, the campaign is part of a nationwide initiative institutionalized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, since 2023.
Kohima: The state-level launch of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 was held at Baptist College, Kohima, under the aegis of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland.
Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi, officially launched the campaign, describing it as “timely and strategic” in view of Nagaland’s high tobacco burden and declining age of initiation. He emphasized the need for a system-wide approach, stronger inter-departmental coordination, vendor licensing, and stakeholder capacity building. “Every school declared tobacco-free, every village enforcing the law, and every young person who chooses to say no to tobacco is a step toward a healthier Nagaland,” he stated, while administering the Anti-Tobacco Pledge.
Delivering the keynote address, Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, highlighted the achievements of TFYC 1.0 and 2.0, including the declaration of numerous Tobacco Free Educational Institutions and Villages. However, she noted the persistent challenge, citing the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4) which reports that 43% of school-going children aged 13–15 in Nagaland currently use tobacco—a figure echoed in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2).
Mission Director, National Health Mission, Nagaland, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, in his opening remarks, called upon students to become ambassadors of the campaign and promote healthy choices among peers and families. He stressed the importance of innovation and leadership during the 60-day campaign period, encouraging daily reporting and district-level field action.
State Nodal Officer NTCP, Dr. I. Simon Sumi, presented the campaign’s objectives and strategies, announcing a series of awareness drives and periodic state-level reviews. The event was chaired by assistant professor, Department of English, Baptist College, Dr. Enünü Sale, with an invocation and welcome note by Principal, Baptist College Kohima, Dr. Kewepfuzu Lohe. District Nodal Officer, NTCP Kohima, Dr. Neingutunuo Angami, delivered the vote of thanks.
DIMAPUR: National Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 in Dimapur was launched by DC Dimapur, and chairman National Tobacco Control Programme, Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, at C-Edge College.
Dr. Chang in his launching speech stated that India is the second largest producer of tobacco and tobacco products in the world, whilst adding that tobacco use is more among the common population, and cost of treating tobacco-related illnesses can be financially devastating.
He encouraged youth to be informed on the ill effects of tobacco usage and to make informed decisions and spread the message of anti-tobacco to their communities.
He also informed that several steps have been taken to encourage anti-tobacco campaign such as declaring and certifying institutes and villages as Tobacco Free Zone, organizing more awareness campaigns, taking anti-tobacco pledges, etc.
Tobacco Cessation Psychologist NTCP, CIHSR, Pongkhao Esther on her keynote address presented on the significance of Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0, where she stated that the campaign was a sixty-day campaign with the objectives of educating and empowering young people in India to quit tobacco use.
During this campaign she said that activities such youth empowerment drives and awareness activities would be conducted and also encouraging villages and educational institutions to free tobacco lifestyles, amplifying social media engagement, etc.
Psychologist, NTCP Dimapur, Imkumla also presented on the ill-effects of Tobacco usage, while Anti-Tobacco Crusaders, C-Edge College also presented a video on the theme “Pass the Word, Save a Life- Together We Can” and also took a pledge on Anti-Tobacco during the programme.
Zunheboto: In a parallel district-level launch, the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) Zunheboto initiated TFYC 3.0 at Immanuel Higher Secondary School, Zunheboto. Students from Cornerstone Higher Secondary School and Love Dale School also participated. Dr. Chumei Nyam, Dental Surgeon, District Hospital Zunheboto, outlined the campaign’s objectives.
President, Sumi Hoho, Dr. Vihuto Assumi, formally launched the campaign in Zunheboto, expressing strong support for youth-focused health initiatives. He emphasized the long-term health consequences of tobacco use and urged students to become agents of a tobacco-free generation.
Kiphire: The District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) Kiphire launched the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 with a district-level rally and awareness drive aimed at curbing tobacco use among youth. The campaign was inaugurated with a rally flagged off by the Guest of Honour, Shri Chinese, Superintendent of Police (SP), Kiphire. In his keynote address, SP Chinese underscored the harmful effects of tobacco on health and urged young people to abstain from its use.
Students actively participated by distributing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in both local and English dialects. They also raised anti-tobacco slogans, reflecting their commitment to the campaign’s objectives.
The TFYC 3.0 in Kiphire focuses on three core goals: raising awareness about the health hazards of tobacco, preventing its sale to minors, and regulating tobacco advertising and distribution. The District Enforcement Team Kiphire (Flying Squad), instituted by the Deputy Commissioner and supervised by the SDPO, plays a central role in enforcing tobacco control laws.
During the campaign, the enforcement team took action against 10 defaulters found selling tobacco near school premises, in violation of COTPA 2003. Fines were imposed, and the seized tobacco products were processed under the jurisdiction of the local police station.
The DTCC Kiphire expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their contributions, including students, teachers, police personnel, public leaders, the USSC, and the District Enforcement Team. Their collaborative efforts have strengthened the campaign’s impact and reinforced the district’s commitment to a tobacco-free future.
Mon: Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 was launched at Mon at Government High School, Bumei, Changlangshu Village by Naiba Konyak, MLA.
In his speech, Konyak encouraged students not to indulge in the habit of taking tobacco, citing that it affects their memory power and concentration. He also emphasised on the importance of cleanliness.
District Nodal officer NTCP Mon, Dr. Esther Chophy Ngullie, later highlighted on the main objectives of Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0.
Mokokchung: District Tobacco Control Cell, Mokokchung, organized launching programme of Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 at Christian Residential Higher Secondary School (CRHSS). The programme was conducted under the initiative of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) with the objective of promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle among the youth.
Delivering the keynote address, District Nodal Officer NTCP, Mokokchung, Dr. K. Tiasenla, emphasized the objectives of TFYC 3.0 and the on-going challenges of tobacco use among young people and the critical role of educational institutions in nurturing a tobacco-free generation.
The official launching of the campaign was carried out by Medical Superintendent IMDH, Mokokchung, Dr. Ademla Tinu, who encouraged students to become ambassadors of tobacco-free lifestyle and urged everyone to take personal responsibility in discouraging tobacco use in their communities.
The vote of thanks and pledge taking was initiated by consultant NTCP, Mokokchung, Nukshiwati Longchar, who expressed sincere appreciation to the school administration, faculty members, and students for their cooperation and enthusiasm in supporting the campaign. The programme concluded with participants taking a pledge to remain tobacco-free and to spread awareness among their peers.