Dimapur, Nov. 2 (EMN): In a startling revelation, 85% of tobacco users began during adolescence while out of the 3397 students surveyed, nine of them were found to have pre-cancerous lesions.
This was disclosed by Dr. Antoly Suu, deputy chief medical officer, Dimapur, during a one-day training for head of institution of tobacco-free educational institutions held on October 30 at Rotary Centre, Dimapur. A press release issued by Dr. C Tetseo, NTCP state nodal officer, stated that the training was organised jointly by District Tobacco Cell and Rotary Club Dimapur.
Highlighting on the tobacco scenario among school and college students in Dimapur, Dr. Antoly Suu revealed on a recent study conducted in 25 schools and colleges in Dimapur district with participants between the age of 15-24 years. It was found that 10% of students surveyed smoked tobacco products, while 10.8% consumed paan and 26% chew tobacco.
The surveyed also showed that adolescent period was the most vulnerable period as more than 85% of the tobacco users first tried tobacco during that period.
She also informed that tobacco users between the age of 15-24 years in Nagaland was 28.6%. She said that tobacco consumption pattern among youth in Nagaland is similar to adult consumptions and is much higher than consumption by India youth (12.4%). She further informed that out of the 3397 students surveyed, nine students were found to have pre-cancerous lesions.
Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. C Tetseo, NTCP state nodal officer, highlighted on the guidelines on tobacco-free institutes. He stated that the guidelines given are not fixed adding schools could improve on it by incorporating innovative ideas and policy in their respective institute so that tobacco control measures are fully integrated into the institutional system.
He urged the educational institutions to enforce tobacco-free policy as students being in their formative period could be taught to inculcate healthy habits. He stated that as the brain develops, people form habits and when those habits are reinforced it becomes a permanent way of life.
He added that children, who are exposed to tobacco, alcohol or drugs and indulged in those bad habits during that age, it becomes more difficult for them to kick the habit later on. He, therefore, urged the educational institutes to implement tobacco-free policy and protect the future of children from those vices.
Altogether, 50 head of institutions from both private and government schools in Dimapur district attended the programme.
