Nagaland launches tobacco-free youth campaign 3.0

DIMAPUR — The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, launched the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 in several districts on Thursday, aiming to educate and empower young people to resist or quit tobacco use.

The five key strategies of the campaign include escalating public awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco; enhancing compliance with Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI); strengthening enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019; promoting tobacco-free villages; and amplifying youth-led social media engagement.

It is also aimed at equipping frontline workers, teachers and student leaders with the knowledge and tools to strengthen local implementation, an update stated.

Kohima: A state-level programme was held at Baptist College with Anoop Khinchi, Commissioner & Secretary of Health & Family Welfare department, as the special guest, who also officially launched the campaign.

In his address, Khinchi described the launch as both “timely and strategic,” citing the high burden of tobacco-use among both adults and children in Nagaland and the declining age of initiation. He called for a shift from isolated interventions to a system-wide approach.

He emphasised the urgency of tackling tobacco-use, which remains a major public health challenge, and stronger inter-departmental coordination, tobacco vendor licensing and capacity building of stakeholders.

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“Every school declared tobacco-free, every village enforcing the law and every young person who chooses to say no to tobacco is a step toward a healthier Nagaland,” Khinchi said. He also administered anti-tobacco pledge, reaffirming the collective commitment.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director of Health & Family Welfare, shared that under TFYC 1.0 and 2.0, Nagaland made remarkable progress declaring numerous tobacco-free educational institutions and tobacco-free villages, while strengthening enforcement of COTPA, 2003 and PECA, 2019.

Referring to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4), she stated that 43% of school-going children aged 13–15 years in Nagaland currently use some form of tobacco.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, NHM Mission Director, reiterated the government’s commitment to preventive health and behavioural change among young people. He called upon students to act as ambassadors of the campaign, spreading awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco-use and influencing their peers and families to make healthy choices.

Dr. I Simon Sumi, NTCP State Nodal Officer, presented an overview of the objectives and strategies of TFYC 3.0. He informed that daily reporting and periodic state-level reviews would be undertaken and added that a series of activities and awareness drives have been planned across districts over the 60-day campaign period.

Mokokchung: In Mokokchung, the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) launched the tobacco-free youth campaign 3.0 at Christian Residential Higher Secondary School.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. K Tiasenla, NTCP District Nodal Officer, emphasised the objectives of TFYC 3.0 and the ongoing challenges of tobacco use among young people as well as the critical role of educational institutions in nurturing a tobacco-free generation.

The campaign was officially launched by Dr. Ademla Tinu, Medical Superintendent at IMDH, wherein she encouraged the students to become ambassadors of a tobacco-free lifestyle. She urged everyone to take personal responsibility in discouraging tobacco-use in their communities.

The pledge-taking was led by Nukshiwati Longchar, NTCP consultant.

Longleng: In Longleng, the tobacco-free youth campaign was launched at PBCA convention hall, which was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Longleng, W Manpai Phom, as the special guest.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Nichukholie Vupru, NTCP District Nodal Officer, emphasised the risks associated with smoking, facts about tobacco and the importance of spreading awareness among the youth.

In his speech, Manpai Phom, highlighted the ill-effects of tobacco usage and encouraged students to lead by example and not fall into the habit. He stressed that although the campaign officially runs for 60 days, the commitment to remain tobacco-free should continue 365 days a year.

He further urged students to take positive steps toward a healthy, tobacco-free lifestyle and appreciated the continuous efforts of the District Health Society and NTCP Longleng in creating awareness and bringing positive change.

A total of 286 students participated at the launch programme.

Mon: Naiba Konyak, MLA, launched the tobacco-free youth campaign 3.0 at Government High School, Bumei, in Changlangshu village under Mon district.

In his speech, Konyak advised the students not to indulge in the habit of taking tobacco as it will affect their memory power and concentration. He also emphasised on the importance of cleanliness.

NTCP District Nodal Officer, Dr. Esther Chophy Ngullie, highlighted the main objectives of tobacco-free youth campaign 3.0, while the anti-tobacco pledge was administered by NTCP District Consultant, Nyeaming Konyak.

Kiphire:  The campaign was inaugurated with a rally flagged off by Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kiphire, Chinese. In his keynote address, the SP emphasised the critical importance of youth refraining from tobacco consumption, highlighting its detrimental effects on health and well-being. The event saw enthusiastic participation from students, who actively engaged in sharing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in both local and English dialects. The students also raised slogans against tobacco abuse, demonstrating their commitment to the cause.

Zunheboto: The District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) Zunheboto launched TFYC 3.0 at Immanuel Higher Secondary School, Zunheboto, on Thursday. Students from Cornerstone HSS and Love Dale School also attended the event. Dr Chumei Nyam, Dental Surgeon at District Hospital, Zunheboto, spoke about the main objectives of TFYC 3.0

Dr. Vihuto Assumi, president of Sumi Hoho, stated that the hoho, being the apex body of the Sumi people, warmly welcome and support all the initiatives to promote health awareness among the youth. Highlighting the consequences of long term usage of tobacco, he called on students to lead the way for a tobacco-free future.