Nagaland second highest tobacco user in India

Principal Correspondent Kohima, November 15 With a population of about 20 lakhs, Nagaland is considered among the second highest tobacco consumer states with 57% of the population into the habit. The statistics becomes serious as 37% of students are into smoking habits while 41% school children are smokeless tobacco users. This was revealed by Kohima District Tobacco Control Cell (KDTCC), department of Family Health and Welfare, psychologist Asenla Jamir during a sensitization programme for managers of hotels and restaurants on hazards and burdens of tobacco organized by KDTCC (NTCP), department of HFW at LCS building here today. Dwelling on “hazards of tobacco,” Asenla said there are one billion smokers in the world of which 20% comprises women smokers. India is third largest tobacco producer and second largest consumer in the world, she said adding that one million people in the country die every year due to tobacco. India has the largest number of oral cancer in the world while 40% of all cancers in India are due to tobacco, Jamir said adding that 2200 Indians die every day due to tobacco use. She said Mizoram is the highest user of tobacco in India with a record of 67% of its population using different tobacco products and Nagaland stands second with 57% while Goa being the lowest at barely 9%. She said use of tobacco can cause short and long term effects. Short term effects are Increased heart rate and blood pressure, smelly hair, bad breath, stained teeth, damage to gum tissue, tooth decay, reduced sense of smell and taste, trouble breathing, increased sensitivity to cold and heat while long term effects are cancers (oral, lung, stomach, esophagus, bladder, liver, breast, head and neck, kidney), larynx (ulcers in the mouth), respiratory system( chronic cough, asthma), cardiovascular system (hypertension), heart disease, eye cataract, sexual organs (impotence in men and difficulty in bearing children among women). Additional Director Health & Family Welfare department Dr. N. Savino emphasized on effective implementation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 in the State and called for compliance with the Rules and Act of COTPA 2003. He asked the gathering to display “No Smoking Area” signboard in their respective establishments before commencement of Hornbill Festival to ensure that nobody smokes in hotels and restaurants. It is mandatory to display “No Smoking Area” signboard otherwise one can be penalized, he said. Dr. Savino said no astray, matches, lighter or other things designed to facilitate smoking are provided in the public places. He warned that if anyone is found doing such things they are liable for punishment under the rules and Act of COTPA 2003. On the other hand, he said, hotels having 30 or more rooms and restaurants having 30 or more seating capacity are supposed to create smoking zone but it is not mandatory again today. He also touched on rules about prohibition on sale of cigarette or other tobacco products to a person below the age of 18 years and in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution. Dr. Arenla Walling, nodal officer Kohima District Tobacco Control Cell (NTCP), department of Health & Family Welfare, said the tobacco control cell has so far covered 45 schools in Kohima district by sensitizing school teachers on COTPA 2003 and harmful effects of tobacco. She said similar programmes for shopkeepers of Kohima town will be organized soon. *Consumption: 57% *Male: 68% *Female: 28% *School children smoking: 37% *Male school children smoking: 55% *Female school children smoking: 18% *School children tobacco users (Smokeless): 41% *Male school children smokeless form users: 50% *Female school children smokeless form users: 33% Global School Personal Survey (GSPS ) 2003. NFHS -2(1998-1999.: NSS (1993-1994).