Nagaland remembers what tobacco can do–at least for a day

World No Tobacco Day  Dimapur, May 31: It is a day, at least for a day, that one of India’s states with the highest tobacco consumption index could ruminate on the havoc tobacco has been causing to life. On Tuesday, various government organizations and nongovernmental entities besides educational institutions observed World No Tobacco Day by conducting formal functions and interactive events. Dimapur Staff Reporter Joining hands with the rest of the world with the theme ‘get ready for plain packaging,’ Dimapur observed World No Tobacco Day in the premises of Christian Higher Secondary School in Dimapur on Tuesday. The chief medical officer of Dimapur, Dr. Vikato Kinimi, was the chief guest of the event. In his address, the medical official said that prolonged use of tobacco can lead to cancer due to cancerous agents present in the substance. Further, tobacco also has adverse affects on the general features of a person includes the skin, stomach and the teeth. He urged the students to stay away from tobacco and work toward making Dimapur a tobacco-free city before working for the same cause for Nagaland in general.‘Bible says, nothing is impossible with God,’ he was heard saying, in an attempt to encourage students that keeping away from tobacco was perfectly possible. The SDO (Civil) of Dimapur Albert Ezung was the guest of honor of the event. In his address, the officer maintained that to contain tobacco consumption, much investment in men, research and enforcement was needed. In spite of many initiatives and effort, the problem has yet to diminish to even satisfactory levels, Ezung said. The SDO also remarked that the country’s population has 67% people below the age of 35. India constitutes a source of great potential and if this potential is properly utilized, great change can be achieved, he said. Ezung has urged the youth to know their responsibilities, cautioning them at the same time to not be confused between the symbols of modernism in the name of modernism. They need to ‘remember the culture and tradition of the forefathers amid the modernism,’ he added. The National Tobacco Control Program’s (NTCP) district nodal officer, Dr. C Tetseo gave the keynote address. He spoke about the need for ‘plain packaging of tobacco products.’ Brands create confusion and mislead the people, he said. There is no such thing as ‘less harmful tobacco products,’ the health official said. He gave the instance of Australia where plain packaging of tobacco products was introduced in the year 2012 and according to a review in February 2016, since it was made mandatory, there has been seen a quarter decline in tobacco consumption which, according to him, was a significant decline. The day’s event was also marked by the distribution of certificates to ‘tobacco free schools’ in Dimapur on behalf of Pankaj Kumar, the chief secretary of Nagaland. Kohima Our Correspondent While the use of tobacco poses as the single leading preventable cause of death in the world today, Nagaland also reels to fight the ill yet addictive habit of tobacco consumption in the grim face of being ranked the second highest tobacco consuming state in India with about 57% of its general population falling prey to the risks of this health affecting plant’s products. On Tuesday, the state joined the international community in observing World No Tobacco Day with a call to spread awareness on tobacco related health hazards and to implement effective tobacco control. Speaking at a function marking the occasion here at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, P Longon cited alarming reports which indicate that in Nagaland, tobacco initiation begins at as early as 8 years of age or from class-III. According to the data, he said, 28% of children of 8-13 years age group are already tobacco users while currently, 41 % of the same age group buy tobacco products for their parents or relatives. Pointing out that oral cancer, head & neck cancer, oesophagus cancer and stomach cancers are on the rise in Nagaland, the health minister said if all these cancers are tobacco related then it is time for the health department to sketch new approaches to tackle and bring down “this serious and life-threatening issue”. Longon maintained that Nagaland does not have active force against the policy of tobacco control since there is no tobacco cultivation, no tobacco industry or processing unit in the state. However, he said that in view of the high rate of consumption, the department of Health & Family Welfare is actively engaged in several areas of operation to address the pressing issue. These include, all the 11 districts being approved to be covered by the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) activities during 2016-17; all the districts will have Tobacco Cessation Centre (TCC) in the respective district hospitals where counselling services will be made available to help tobacco users quit; and all the TCCs will be equipped with nicotine replacement therapy facilities. The minister also informed that intensive awareness program were being carried out in Dimapur and Kohima and new program activities are set to be launched in Wokha and Peren shortly while the other districts would follow. “On this day, I assure you that the department of Health & Family Welfare will continue to invest our resources and exercise our influence to protect non-smokers including children from tobacco hazards, and also help tobacco users to quit the habit through various initiatives,” Longon said. Towards this, he sought cooperation and active participation from the department of School Education and Higher Education to join in the fight against tobacco menace, the police department to take the call of the hour and intensify measures to control tobacco abuses, and all the stakeholders to come together in the “fight against the forces that threaten our lives”. He also called upon all the lawmakers, administrative officers and responsible citizens of the state to set “tobacco-free role model lifestyles” in their workplaces and jointly contribute towards building a tobacco-free Nagaland. Minister for School Education, Yitachu, who was a guest of honour at the event, highlighted that the Nagas indulge in many smokeless tobacco products that have equal dangerous affect on health as smoking nicotine. He said everyone is vulnerable to tobacco, and even doctors and church workers who are well aware of the ill-effects of tobacco are hooked in the habit and are struggling to quit today. “We need to be firm and resolute in our decision against the use of tobacco,” the politician said. To those who have never tasted tobacco products, he advised them not to think of even trying them, as tobacco is addictive and anything addictive makes the user its slave. He also called for collective and vigorous efforts in the campaign against tobacco usage, particularly with the involvement of young students who have special influence on elders. On the occasion, 72 educational institutions – 49 schools and 1 college from Dimapur and 20 schools and 2 colleges from Kohima- were given recognition on becoming the first ‘Tobacco-free’ institutions in the state. Also, Gariphema, a small 300-household village under Kohima district was also honoured for becoming the first tobacco-free village in Nagaland. Sharing the success story of the village, a member of Gariphema village council said the village had imposed ban on sale of tobacco products under its jurisdiction in 1993. However, concerned with the growing use of the products by the younger generation, the village authority in 2014 decided to impose a complete ban on not only the sale but on open consumption of tobacco products by the villagers and visitors in the village area. The village was hailed by the officials of the health department and was asked to continue its efforts and inspire other villages to emulate their example so that Nagaland will have more success stories to share with the rest of the country. During the programme, Kesicca a young student of Dainty Buds School Kohima delivered ‘The Voice of Children’, a recitation calling for more responsible and positive role from adults who carelessly use tobacco products in the open, and for lawmakers to make themselves more aware of the dangers of tobacco usage and enforce strict ban on the products. “Don’t force premature death upon us,” stated the young student. Meanwhile, David, a 47 years old tobacco victim shared the testimony of how he struggled for 29 long years of his life with addiction to different forms of tobacco. He narrated how he chanced upon the TCC at Naga Hospital Kohima during a routine visit and how he was helped by health experts at the centre through counselling and tobacco replacement treatments. Kohima District Legal Services Authority The Kohima District Legal Services Authority also observed World No Tobacco Day at Don Bosco School in Cheiphobozou and the government middle school of Nerhe, in Model village at Chiephobozou on Tuesday. In his welcome address, the chairman of the Don Bosco School in Cheiphobozou, Father Matthew, urged the students to stay away from ‘such bad habits and influences of smoking and chewing tobacco products.’ The chief judicial magistrate of Kohima, Mezivolu T Therieh, spoke on the topic ‘dangers of using tobacco.’ In her speech, Therieh talked to the students about the important provision of the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). She said that tobacco was the ‘only legal product that kills 50% of its users.’ Tobacco kills 5.4 million people every year across the world out of which 6 lakh are non-smokers dying from second-hand smoke, she said. Therieh also said that 8-9 lakh Indians die every year due to tobacco while 40% of them suffer from cancer due to their using tobacco. She highlighted the dangers of smoking cigarettes and ‘bidi’ and consumption of tobacco products such as ‘talab, rajnigandha, pan masala.’ They are injurious to health, she said and advised the students to stay away from ‘such vices’ which would affect their health in the long run. They will ‘make them unable to enjoy good health and achieve their goals and dreams,’ she said. The speaker also said that smoking could affect every part of the body and cause various types of cancer affecting the brain, neck, blood, lung, kidney, stomach, pancreas, colon, bladder, and cervix. Chronic diseases such as stroke, blindness, gum infection, heart diseases, asthma, reduce fertility, hip fracture, reduce memory, common cold, and bronchitis, etc are also caused by smoking, she said. Therieh added that ‘bad habits’ start in a small way before leading the user to gradual addiction, and through to health complications and ‘finishing one’s life,’ she added. Another speaker, panel lawyer Nancy Lotha, spoke on the topic ‘Right to Health and Healthy Living.’ In her presentation, Lotha said that the right to health meant that every individual had the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The standard includes access to all medical services, sanitation, adequate food, decent housing, healthy working condition and a clean environment. Likewise, Lotha said that the right to health care meant that hospitals, clinics, medicines and doctors’ services must be accessible, available, and acceptable and of good quality for everyone on an equitable basis where and when needed. On its part, she said, the government has given citizens the fundamental rights that ensure that all citizens receive basic necessities within the right to health–which is not only about the absence of diseases but to also ensure that citizens receive proper food, clothing, shelter and medical care. She urged the students to perform their duties of maintaining a healthy living and do away with drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. As part of the program, a quiz session was conducted by panel lawyer Apila Sangtem on the topics which were presented during the session. The session was followed by distribution of pamphlets and sweets. The students actively participated in the quiz competition. 470 students and teachers attended the program, the organizers informed in a note on Tuesday. Peren Likewise, World No Tobacco Day was observed in Peren’s district hospital. The ADC of Peren, Tainiu, addressed the event. She said that tobacco consumption was creating ‘problems in the family as well as to the society.’ Every section of the people should be aware of the harmful effects of consuming tobacco, she said. Members of Peren Town Students’ Union, GBs, and the town’s committee and other organizations attended the program. GUIDELINES AND ACTION PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ‘SMOKE FREE KOHIMA CITY’ On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day observed at the Capital Convention Centre on May 31, the joint director of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. H Hotokhu Chishi read out the guidelines and ‘action plan’ for effective implementation of the ambitious ‘Smoke Free Kohima City’ as decided by the Kohima District Level Co-ordination Committee on Tobacco Control, which was signed by the deputy commissioner of Kohima district, Rovilatuo Mor. The guidelines for effective implementation of the “Smoke Free Kohima” city as envisaged under COTPA 2003 Act are: (verbatim) 1. All public places including the entertainment centre & venues such as play grounds/stadiums/conference halls/heritage & open air public sites etc shall be Smoke Free, and such specific conditions shall be invariably incorporated in the allotment orders / permissions issued by appropriate authorities to the organising bodies/ users for strict adherence. The sponsoring body for any public events/ gathering shall be directly responsible for enforcement. 2. All public places under the management of firms/ individual/ society ownership viz hotels/ restaurants/ shopping centres/public transports shall invariably display appropriate signboards and ensure smoke free atmosphere. 3. Wide ranging publicity and sensitisation activities will be launched for effective awareness and enforcements of the declaration: (a)Notify the guidelines in media, official forums, NGOs, local bodies. (b)Put up sign boards/sinages/slogans/stickers etc in open public places in various dialects by DLCC. (c)The 22 Tobacco frees schools will be sensitised to be Ambassadors of Smoke Free campaign whenever they are. (d)Awareness campaign shall be held in AHoDS/HoDS, DPDBs, police/ administration and various social platforms, and outstation bus/ taxi stand. (e)Power point presentations in soft copies shall be prepared for wide circulation. 4. Clear distinction between “Tobacco Free” and “Smoke (Tobacco) Free” implications will be maintained in the process. Concept of “Smoking Zones”, “Public Places” will also be clarified and sensitised to strengthen enforcement. 5. Copies of COTPA 2003 will be circulated to all agencies for effective enforcements. 6. Timelines for above action plans as well as periodical assessments and review of success and constraints will be taken up. The DLCC will endeavour to leave no stone unturned for successful achievement of the declared “Smoke Free Kohima” city. Modern Institute of Teacher Education The Modern Institute of Teacher Education in Kohima observed the event as well. The gathering was exhorted against the hazards of using tobacco, the organizers informed in a note that was issued to the media on Tuesday. The students of the institution were also advised against using tobacco as much as they should ‘not let young students use the tobacco products.’ Pelee Hekha, managing director, also gave a speech on the topic ‘no tobacco’ and stressed on maintaining the institution as a “free tobacco zone,” according to the organizers. As part of the event, a drama was performed with the harmful effects of tobacco as the theme. Oriental College A local college in Kohima town, the Oriental College, observed World No Tobacco Day on said day in the college’s auditorium. Gopal Chetri, vice principal of the institution, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Ketshukietuo Dzüvichü, principal, spoke about the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco products, a note from the organizers said on Tuesday. The staffer and students of the institution took a pledge and declared Oriental College’s campus “Tobacco Free Campus,” it added.