Gariphema village declared ‘Best performing tobacco-free village’

DIMAPUR — Gariphema village in Kohima district was declared the ‘Best performing tobacco-free village’ during a programme held at TM Government Higher Secondary School in Kohima to commemorate ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on Friday.

The event was organised by Kohima District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC).

The additional director of Higher Education, Dr. K Nishena Nekha, who attended the programme as the special guest, emphasised on the dangers of using tobacco and to raise awareness on its harmful effects. He encouraged the students to read newspapers or magazines to enable them keep updated.

He also exhorted the students to learn good habits at early age to combat tobacco use and how individuals worldwide can assert their right to health and healthy living to protect future generations.

The theme speaker and senior resident BDS and MDS at Nagaland Institute of Medical Science & Research (NIMSR), Dr. Thungbeni Ngullie, mentioned that tobacco consumption, in any form, is extremely unhealthy for the body as it could lead to cancer and other diseases. He warned that active smoking could lead to painful death, while passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoking, is equally unhealthy.

She cautioned that tobacco use, whether through smoking, sniffing or chewing, could be devastating for health. He added that its long-term use could raise the risk of heart illnesses, respiratory diseases and cancer among other chronic conditions.

Meanwhile, results of the essay writing competition held in commemoration of World No Tobacco Day 2024 was also declared.

Neha Devi of class 9 from GHS, Forest Colony, was awarded the 1st position, while Khriezobeinuo Chatsu of class 10 from Dr. N Kire GHS was declared the second winner and Savelii Ringa of class 10 from TM GHSS was declared the third winner.

Also read: Students pledged to abstain from tobacco on ‘World No Tobacco Day’