Smoke-free district headquarter campaign was held in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner (DC), Tuensang on August 17.
According to a DIPR report, DC Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant said smoking tobacco not only harmed the primary consumer but also the non-consumer secondary and tertiary individuals around the primary consumer.
He also asked the tobacco consumer control cell to expand the campaign across the district and to establish a habilitation centre for de-addiction of tobacco related substances.
Meanwhile, SP Tuensang, Amit Nigam also spoke on Section 4 of COTPA 2003 where it states on the ban of smoking in public places and Section 6a and 6b of COTPA 2003 prohibiting selling of tobacco products to underage persons and prohibition of selling tobacco products within 100 yards around the premises of educational institution.
He also encouraged the citizens to cooperate with the police and create awareness among the public of COTPA 2003 so that police could enforce the law successfully.
Earlier during the programme, junior dental specialist, Dr. Ao Yanger highlighted the aims of the campaign to the house.
Certificates were also presented to tobacco free schools and village which were awarded to St John Higher Secondary School, Akum Imlong School and Kuthur village respectively.
Mon: Smoke-free district headquarter campaign was launched in the conference room of the deputy commissioner (DC), Mon on August 16. The campaign was launched by DC Mon Thavaseelan K. The launch was held along with the district level coordination committee review meeting.
According to a DIPR report, while speaking at the launching programme, Thavaseelan stressed on the importance of creating awareness on the harmful effects of second hand smoking (passive smoking).
He hoped that through the campaign, smokers at home would be made aware of the effects that they were causing to their loved ones.
DC also said that the public should be made aware that it was a crime to smoke in public as per Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003.
Meanwhile, nodal officer, NTCP Mon, Dr. I Simon Sumi highlighted some of the aims and objectives of the campaign which included creating awareness of the harmful effects of smoking and smoking in public places, sensitising people on Section 4 of COPTA 2003.
He also laid down strategies for the campaign such as sensitizing all HoDs, district anti-tobacco squads, regular enforcement drives, advocacy with NGOs, civil societies and church and schools as campaign ambassadors.
The committee deliberated on activities for the campaign in matters of leaflets/pamphlets, videos on harmful effects of smoking and legal penalties, posting of signage in offices, institutions and strategic locations and choosing the right school for the campaign ambassador.
With 11 schools in the town declared as tobacco free, the committee also deliberated on making more educational institutions and schools across the district tobacco free.
Earlier, vote of thanks was delivered by district consultant, NTCP Mon, E. Nyeamying Konyak while St. Joseph’s School Mon received a tobacco free school certificate.
Mokokchung: Mokokchung district under the initiative of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) launched the “smoke free district headquarters” campaign at the residence of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mokokchung.
In a press release, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mokokchung office informed that the campaign was launched by DC Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir in the presence of district nodal officer NTCP, Mokokchung, Dr. Taliwaba Ao, dental doctors from IMDH and Run Mokokchung group.
In his speech, DC and chairman, District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC), Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir appreciated the initiative and expressed concern over smoking in public places.
He assured that the campaign would be strongly implemented within the district specially in all the government offices, banks and public conveyances.
The DC said that it has been a “long battle” against smoking in public places but was optimistic that it would slowly gain momentum through the campaign for a better and healthier environment.
Jamir also encouraged the young members of Run Mokokchung group and lauded their enthusiasm towards a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Consultant NTCP, Mokokchung, Nukshiwati Longchar highlighted the objectives of the campaign on ban of smoking in public places and how second-hand smoke affects the non-smokers specially women and children.
He emphasised on sensitising the public to discourage smoking through poster campaign at public place and also informed the gathering about activities planned through awareness campaign with different agencies and groups and enforcement of COTPA 2003 Section 4 and 6 around Mokokchung Town.