A Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APRIL 16
The Naga society is burdened with the dilemma and health hazards of tobacco. Research data project the Naga as heavy-tobacco users in one form or the other. The prevalence of tobacco use is high among school students with the attributing reason being easy availability of tobacco products.
The district nodal officer of the National Tobacco Control Programme, Dr. C Tetseo gave an account of the use of tobacco in Nagaland, on Saturday, in Dimapur during an anti-tobacco event. Drawing attention to the uncontrolled use of tobacco, Dr. Tetseo said that out of the many schools in Dimapur district, only 45 schools had been declared tobacco-free. In 40 years, he said, many people will die from the use of tobacco as it does not kill immediately but gradually impacts the user.
To control the rampant tobacco substance use trend among school students. Dr. Tetseo called upon the schools and their managements to take responsibility. He has suggested forming anti-tobacco groups.
Drawing attention on anti-tobacco Acts in India, he, for the knowledge of the public, spoke about the amended Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 of Section (a) and (b) passed by Parliament. They stipulate stringent punishments for those selling tobacco products or cigarettes to minors.
Offenders are liable for a jail term of seven years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh, as against the earlier Rs 200 fine imposed under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). In order to restrict access of youths to tobacco products, sale of tobacco is prohibited in areas within radius 100 yards of any educational institution.
Under Section 4 of the ‘Cigarettes and other Tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003’ prohibits smoking in public places. Citizens can call the toll free number 1800110456 if any individual is found smoking in public places.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Dimapur Dr. Antoly Suu also suggested an anti tobacco committee to be set up in schools to control such menace and extended partnership with the students’ organization, the Dimapur Naga Students Union, with a medical team.
Meanwhile, the DNSU has been on its first phase of ‘inspection’ in Dimapur proper since January 2016. They have so far seized a cache of tobacco products and cigarettes from 30 shops. The products were burned on Saturday at the DNSU office at Police colony in Dimapur.
