Eight schools in Zunheboto declared tobacco-free

DIMAPUR — A total of eight schools in Zunheboto district were declared tobacco-free during a programme organised by NTCP Zunheboto at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday.

The schools, which were declared tobacco-free, are St. Clare High School, Akuluto; Hilto Children Home School, Akuluto; Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Akuluto; Royal School, Akuluto; Unit School, Naltoqa; Government Primary School (GPS), Naltoqa; Sparkle School, Naltoqa; and St. Paul School, Naltoqa.

An update from NTCP Zunheboto stated that eight students’ home, pupils from Woodland Higher Secondary School, Zunheboto, were also declared tobacco-free home.

The deputy commissioner of Zunheboto, Rahul Bhanudas Mali, gave away certificates to tobacco-free schools and students.

Speaking at the programme, the DC expressed his concern on the rise of tobacco usage especially among the younger group of citizens in the society and the students in particular.

“Use of tobacco products gradually leads to dreadful deceases and ultimately results to deadly cancer which consequences to a painful death,” he said.

He, therefore, advised the students not to be misled by tobacco advertisements featuring celebrities. He also called upon the students to always be aware of things that are beneficial to health and which are fatal.

Rahul further appealed to NTCP Zunheboto unit to continue their programmes and to come up with more activities to tackle the menace of tobacco usages in the town and district with special targets on schools and its surroundings in order to completely eradicate tobacco products from the district.