DIMAPUR — A no-tobacco awareness programme was conducted at Corner Stone School, Zunheboto, on Monday to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and promote healthier, tobacco-free lifestyles within the community.
The programme was held on the theme “Don’t let tobacco control you,” stated a press release. It was attended by students, members of the no-tobacco clubs, and representatives from various organisations.
Chinglem Konyak, EAC of Zunheboto, was the key speaker for the event. Highlighting the theme, he stated that while tobacco is an addictive substance, individuals have the power to free themselves from its control.
Citing alarming global statistics, Chinglem shared that tobacco kills more than 8 million people annually worldwide, with over 13 million dying due to exposure to secondhand smoke. He pointed out that India is the second-largest consumer of tobacco in the world after China, and that Nagaland alone has a tobacco consumption rate of 42.6%.
The speaker also discussed the serious health risks associated with tobacco use, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. He shared powerful visuals of individuals affected by tobacco-related health issues and emphasised that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death.
Chinglem encouraged the audience to take control of their health and not let tobacco dictate their lives. He shared practical advice on how to avoid tobacco use, including resisting peer pressure, not starting in the first place, and distancing oneself from people who use tobacco.
He emphasised that quitting tobacco, while difficult, is possible, citing numerous success stories of individuals who have successfully overcome their addiction.
Chinglem urged everyone to take the first step toward quitting tobacco and living a healthier life. “Tobacco doesn’t control us; we have the power to control our choices,” he said.
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