Nagaland Friday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). Celebrated every year on May 31, WNTD aims to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2019 is “Tobacco and Lung health”
To mark the occasion, the Department of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) and District Tobacco Control Cell Kohima organized a programme at DBT Hall, NHAK, Kohima Friday.
Speaking as special guest, Mission Director (NHM) H&FW Department, Dr. Kevichüsa Medikhru said Nagaland was ranked as one of the highest tobacco users in the country. He congratulated the National Tobacco Control Programme team for the achievements made so far in creating awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco in the state. Speaking on the theme “Tobacco & Lung Health”, District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Asünü Thong highlighted on the worldwide statistics of death caused by tobacco. Dr. Thong pointed out that 7-8 million die from tobacco per year. Out of 8 million, one million die from second hand smoke.
Asst. Prof. Mt. Olive College Kohima, Lotoli Kiba shared her college success story as tobacco-free college. Hatdeivah Haokip from Little Flower Higher Secondary School gave a short message on ‘Voice of Children’. Winners of inter-school collage making competition held on May 24, 2019 in commemoration of “World No Tobacco Day” were awarded with prizes on the occasion.