Dimapur, May 19 (EMN): Phek District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) organised a training of stakeholders for implementation of ‘Tobacco Free Educational Institutions’ (TOFEI) on May 18 at District Hospital, Phek.
An update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Phek, stated that Dr. Chiekroshuyi Tetseo, additional director Health department and state nodal officer of NTCP, and Linoka K Awomi, DTCC consultant, were the resource persons of the training.
The main objective of the training was to bring about greater awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and tobacco control laws and to facilitate effective implementation of TOFEI by all schools in the district.
Quoting the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, it stated that 43% of students in Nagaland between 13 and 15 years used tobacco products, which is one of the highest in the country.
Dr. C Tetseo, in his presentation on implementation of TOFEI, has highlighted the school authorities on mandatory display of signage. He also emphasised on the burden of the tobacco epidemic, which is the biggest cause of preventable deaths and diseases.
Presenting the present tobacco scenario, Dr. C Tetseo stated Nagaland is one of the highest users of Pan Masala and tobacco and the highest average monthly on cigarettes. He added that the tobacco habit has made the people insensitive to civic sense and hygiene.
Stating that educational institutions are the best platform to create awareness about the danger of tobacco use, he called upon the teachers to make all the schools tobacco-free.
Linoka spoke on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, its objectives and enforcement mechanism. She highlighted the mandate of Section 6 (b) and its penalties, section 77 of Juvenile Justice Act and its penalties etc.
On the implementation of tobacco control laws, it was deliberated and emphasised on the roles of police personnel.
Chairperson of the training, Dr. Nichukholie Vupru, DNO, NTCP Phek, highlighted the different awareness programmes and activities carried out in the district. He also shared about the counseling facility at tobacco control cell in Phek and the availability of Nicotine replacement therapy for those desiring to quit tobacco.
