Nagaland Health department leads the way to a tobacco-free office

• DIMAPUR — The officers and staff of the Health and Family Welfare Department have on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a tobacco-free office during a formal programme held in the lobby of their directorate in Kohima.
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• The initiative was part of the department's ongoing efforts to reinforce its leadership in public health and to uphold the highest standards of workplace hygiene and safety, according to an update from the department.
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• It stated that the state government officially declared the directorate a ‘tobacco-free zone’ through a notification dated January 25, 2023. Following this, a circular was issued directing all staff to comply with the tobacco-free guidelines.
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• Anoop Khinchi along with other officials of the Health and Family Welfare department during a programme at its directorate in Kohima on Wednesday.

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• During the programme, Anoop Khinchi, commissioner and secretary of the Health department, emphasised the importance of strictly following those guidelines, while Dr. Mereninla Senlem, director of the Health department, provided a detailed overview of the tobacco-free office guidelines.
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• The event was chaired by Dr. Khelito Zhimomi, joint director and SPO (RCH), and Dr. Arenla Walling, additional director (Dental) and SNO (NTCP), highlighted key provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003.
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• The programme concluded with a pledge and a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Reyosalu Lase Vizo, joint director (dental) and SPO (NOHP).
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• The event strongly emphasised the harmful effects of tobacco use, which are linked to cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses. With 43% of adults in Nagaland reported as tobacco users (as per GATS-2), it underscored the urgency of promoting a tobacco-free, health-oriented workplace.
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• The department has issued tobacco-free office guidelines for strict compliance by all staff, visitors and stakeholders.

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• According to the guidelines, smoking or spitting of tobacco products has been strictly prohibited within the office premises. It warned that violations of the guidelines would be treated as punishable offendes under COTPA 2003 and Section 268 of the IPC.
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• Furthermore, no form of tobacco advertisement or promotion would be permitted within 100 yards of the office.
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• In line with the government’s order, the department has also constituted an Anti-Tobacco Committee comprising representatives from various sections of the directorate. The committee would be responsible for enforcement, awareness generation, compliance monitoring and policy recommendations to strengthen the tobacco-free initiative.
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• Besides, clear signage indicating "No Smoking" and "Tobacco-Free Zone" has already been installed throughout the premises to ensure that everyone adheres to the policy.
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• The department has urged all officers, staff and visitors to cooperate in upholding the tobacco-free office policy, thereby setting an example for other institutions across the state.