‘Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0’ launched across Nagaland

DIMAPUR — The National Tobacco Control Programme, Nagaland has announced the state-level launch of the 60-day ‘Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0,’ a critical initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI, aimed at creating awareness and promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle among the youth of Nagaland.

The campaign, launched simultaneously in the 11 NTCP districts by the respective district tobacco control cells, will run from September 24 to November 24, an update stated.

The campaign was officially launched by Dr. E. Motsuthung Patton, Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, at Mount Olive College, Kohima on Tuesday.

In his address, the principal director highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment to eradicating tobacco use among young people.

“Our collective effort in this campaign is crucial for fostering a healthier, tobacco-free environment for our youth. We must leverage every tool at our disposal to safeguard our future generations,” Patton said.

Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 is dedicated to reducing tobacco consumption among youth through comprehensive public education, regulatory enforcement, and community engagement, supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI and stakeholders departments.

Dr. Arenla Walling, Joint Director (Dental) and state nodal officer for the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), in her keynote address, emphasised on the campaign’s strategies.

Nievepolu Tetseo, assistant professor in the Department of Education at Mount Olive College, chaired the event, which began with an invocation by Rev. N Suhuto Chishi, youth secretary, NBCC. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Koseno, principal of Mount Olive College. 

Special presentation was performed by Female Voice, Mount Olive College, followed by an anti-tobacco pledge and vote of thanks by Dr. I Simon Sumi, district nodal officer (NTCP), Kohima. 

The campaign will engage schools, colleges, and community organisations across Nagaland by conducting workshops, awareness drives and interactive sessions. With tobacco use remaining a major health risk, especially among adolescents, the campaign seeks to inspire the youth to lead tobacco-free lives.

The 60-day initiative aims to further combat tobacco use among the youth with a focus on four key strategies:

Public awareness – Intensifying efforts to educate the community on the detrimental health effects of tobacco.

TOFEI compliance – Ensuring adherence to the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) norms to create healthier learning environments.

COTPA enforcement – Strengthening the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.

Tobacco-free villages – Promoting and supporting the establishment of tobacco-free communities.

In addition to the four strategies, this year the campaign specifically emphasises on strategy five – amplifying social media engagement to actively involve youth and shield children from tobacco industry tactics.

“By harnessing the power of digital platforms, the campaign seeks to amplify its message and encourage community participation,” it stated.

Mon: The campaign was launched at Holy Cross School, Mon town, by Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma. Dr. Esther Chophy Ngullie, district nodal officer, NTCP Mon, spoke on the objectives of the campaign and appealed to the district administration, police department, school authorities, public, NGO’s and especially the students to cooperate with the team to make the campaign a success in Mon district . Dr. Lihngam Koyak, junior dental surgeon at District Hospital, Mon, led the anti-tobacco pledge. The programme was chaired by Nyeamying Konyak, district consultant, NTCP Mon and welcome address was delivered by Sabu James, principal of Holy Cross School.

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