Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, May 31: One hundred and thirty schools and three villages in Dimapur district have been declared tobacco-free, according to the chief medical officer of Dimapur, Dr. K Vikato Kinimi.
Speaking at a programme to mark World No Tobacco Day at Delhi Public School, Dimapur, Kinimi acknowledged the efforts of all nodal officers for ‘drastically’ increasing the number of tobacco-free schools.
He informed that various health units and community healthcare centres in other districts were simultaneously conducting awareness and sensitisation programmes on Friday. Kinimi further informed that the police department in the state is conducting awareness programmes in police stations on this year’s theme: Tobacco and lung health.
The Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Kevekha Kevin Zehol said that consumption of tobacco starts on a ‘light note’ among students, mostly due to peer pressure in school or among friends. He also spoke about other substances people of Nagaland are addicted to, ‘making the state to feature in the top 3 in alcohol, heroin and tobacco addiction.’
Cancer survivor and anti-tobacco crusader, Chuba Jamir, also an artist by profession, shared how he was diagnosed with cancer due to tobacco consumption. He said that even though he is cancer-free now, he is still paying the price as a survivor. “Every day is a battle for me and I pray that none of you go through it,” said Jamir.
He encouraged the students to use technology for educative and ‘good purposes.’ “Kids these days have first hand information on all these kind of issues and diseases, so make good use of that,” Jamir said.
Certificates were distributed to 11 Mass Communication and Journalism students from Patkai Christian College for their anti-tobacco documentary. Tenyiphe village in Dimapur also received a certificate for becoming tobacco-free.
