Nagaland
Health dept. organises tobacco-free awareness programme
Dimapur, Jan. 31 (EMN): Office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Peren, conducted ‘Tobacco-free awareness programme’ in its conference hall on Tuesday.
An update from CMO’s office informed that the deputy CMO, Dr. Lanuakum, spoke on the aims and objectives of the campaign and emphasised on harmful effects of smoking and the danger of second hand smoke in public places, government offices and homes. He also spoke about the provision of Section-4 of COTPA 2003, which bans smoking in public places.
Dr. Lanuakum also urged the participants to stay away from the things that could harm their health and environment. He motivated the participants to be the living example by not indulging in consumption of tobacco products.
He advised the participants to avoid combustible tobacco products and stated the only way for an individual to completely eliminate tobacco-related harms is not to use them. He encouraged the participants to inculcate healthy habits saying, “We cannot change our past but we can change our present.”
He further challenged the participants not to take tobacco and be champion of tobacco-free life.
Report stated that Dr. Hedungkiebe, DVBO of Peren, chaired the programme, while Iraklung Ramlia, head assistant, delivered the vote of thanks.
It added that a pledge was administered to the participants during the programme. It concluded with distribution of IEC materials to all the participants.
In another programme, the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Tuensang, conducted an awareness programme on ‘Tobacco-free zone’ in its conference hall on Tuesday.
During the programme, CMO Dr. Keveduyi Theyo spoke on the various health issues caused by tobacco. He also informed that the parking lot of CMO in Tuensang has been declared as ‘tobacco-free zone’ with immediate effect. He, therefore, informed that smoking, chewing, spitting and selling of tobacco in and around the office premises would strictly prohibited adding that any offender would be penalised according to COTPA 2003 section 4,5,6 and 7.