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Kohima[/caption]
Dimapur, May 31 (EMN): Along with the rest of the world, the Nagaland state has observed World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on May 31 with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) theme ‘tobacco and heart disease.’ Updates on Thursday informed.
Kohima: The Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) in collaboration with the National Tobacco Control Porgramme (NTCP) organised a walkathon to commemorate the day at the Old Member of Legislative Assembly junction.
Flagging off the walkathon, Mezivolü T Therieh, member secretary of Nagaland State Legal Service Authority encouraged student to gave up the harmful consumption of tobacco substance.
The Nodal Officer of NTCP Dr. Arenla Walling informed that tobacco is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Further, Walling remarked that 12% of all heart disease deaths are contributed by active and passive smoking.
Four schools and a college participated in the walkathon. The schools and a college were- Stella Higher Secondary School, Ruzhukhrie Goverment Higher Secondary School, Dr. Neilhouzhu Kire Higher Secondary School, Mezhür School, and Kohima College. Certificates were also given to the participants.
Phek: The District Nodal Officer of the NTCP Dr. Reyosalü Lase Vizo during the programme at the district hospital’s Chapel spoke about the theme. She talked about the linked between the use of tobacco products and heart diseases. She also mentioned about the impact of tobacco use and the risk of exposure to second hand smoke which can affect the heart. Further, she said that such program provide opportunities not only to the government but to the public, churches, and other organisations.
Vizo asserted that the Nagaland statistics in tobacco consumption has come down from second to eight positions in the country. There has been a reduction of 13.5% which she remarked as ‘great achievement.’ She added that there are still many villages, schools, and churches needed to educate on the harmful effects of tobacco. Therefore, she requested the participants to take responsibility in disseminating them about the harm that tobacco can do. She also urged them to become an anti-tobacco activist and jointly fight against tobacco.
Wokha: The District Tobacco Control Cell conducted the programme at the Likya Community Hall. Dr. Meribeni Odyuo of the NTCP of Wokha called upon the people and health organisations to take up actions that can prevent tobacco problems on the heart.
The Panel Lawyer Shanchobeni spoke about the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). She mentioned about the prohibition of tobacco at various categories such as smoking in public places, selling of tobacco products to minors, and selling of tobacco within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution.
The press release stated that two institutions- the Mt. Sinai and the Isaiah Ability schools were declared as ‘tobacco free schools’ during the programme.
The Peren District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) in collaboration with department of Health and Family Welfare has organised programme with the students and teachers of Ibaung Thou Memorial School in Jalukie.
Dr. Sabino Kuotsu, nodal officer of NTCP spoke about the hazards and ill effects of tobacco consumption which leads to cancer, heart disease and other illness. Kuotsu informed participants with the data of tobacco consumption. She informed, according to the India Global Tobacco Survey in Northeast, Mizoram begged the highest and Nagaland was the second highest in consumption of tobacco. The global school personal survey of 2003 has reported that, in Nagaland 55% of the population were tobacco users with male 68%, female 28%, school children 37%, male school children 55% and female school children 18%.
Speaking on the Copta Act, Italang Ramlia, a government pleader of Peren informed that the Act prohibits smoking of tobacco in public places, except in special smoking zone areas. He pointed out that cigarette packets are required to carry pictorial warnings along with the text smoking kills and tobacco causes mouth cancer in both Hindi and English.
Various schools and colleges observed WNTD in Dimapur. Some of the institutions were said to have carried out various activities and competitions such as essay writing, painting etc. The students also took out processions carrying placards and banners. Institutions that observed WNTD in the districts were the Livingstone Foundation Higher Secondary School, MGM College, St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary School, Immanuel College, Sakus Mission College, and the Assembly of God Higher Secondary School.
The Mokokchung District Legal Services Authority (MDLSA) in collaboration with Health and Family Welfare Department conducted two awareness programmes at the United Christian Fellowship Church and the Town Higher Secodary School in Mokokchung.
The Chairman of the Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (ZDLSA) Niechochiyi Suyie spoke about the day’s topic ‘significance of anti-tobacco day.’ Students of the St. Anthony High School took part in walkathon as part of observing the WNTD on May 31. The programme was said to have been organised by the ZDLSA.
The Chakhesang Mission Higher Secondary School observed World No Tobacco Day with the theme ‘impact of tobacco on cardiac vascular health’ at its school auditorium in Pfütsero.
A resource person of the day, Atshole Wetsah spoke about the topic. She said that such a day was observed to promote and encourage people to stop chewing tobacco. She added that the ugly truth is Nagaland being in the second position in tobacco consumption in the Northeast. She further mentioned about the ill effects of consuming tobacco and encouraged students not to use tobacco product.
