Nagaland launches Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0 across districts to strengthen tobacco prevention and enforcement
DIMAPUR — The Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 4.0 was launched across Nagaland on Wednesday, with state-level and district-level programmes held in Kohima, Dimapur, Mon and Mokokchung as part of a 60-day campaign aimed at protecting young people from tobacco use and strengthening tobacco-control measures.
The State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC), National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Nagaland, officially launched the campaign at the Nagaland Institute of Allied and Healthcare (NIAH), Paramedical, Kohima, marking its rollout across all 11 districts of the state.
According to an update, Dr. Imotemsu, Director, Family Welfare, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, attended the programme as the special guest and formally launched the campaign at the state level.
In his address, he stressed the importance of utilising the 60-day period to intensify tobacco-control activities, strengthen coordination across districts and assess progress towards campaign targets. He expressed hope that the campaign would reinforce ongoing initiatives and support sustained implementation beyond the campaign period.
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The keynote address was delivered by Dr. I Simon Sumi, State Nodal Officer, NTCP, who outlined the six key strategies of TFYC 4.0 and highlighted the harmful effects of tobacco use, particularly among young people.
The campaign focuses on six strategies: public awareness, Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions, Tobacco-Free Villages, enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, social media engagement, and engagement with universities and colleges.
Key targets include conducting at least 30 Information, Education and Communication (IEC) events per district; increasing institutional compliance and Tobacco-Free Village coverage by 50%; increasing enforcement activities by 20%; and onboarding 30% of universities and colleges in the state.
Dimapur: The NTCP, Dimapur, launched TFYC 4.0 at Government Higher Secondary School, Burma Camp.
Dr. Esther Chophy Ngullie, District Nodal Officer, NTCP Dimapur, highlighted the objectives of the campaign, stressing the importance of protecting children and youth from the harmful effects of tobacco, preventing the initiation of tobacco use, encouraging tobacco cessation, strengthening enforcement of COTPA (2003), and promoting tobacco-free educational institutions and communities.
Khekali Y. Sema, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Dimapur, attended as guest of honour and officially launched the campaign.
In her address, she encouraged students to take proper care of their health and refrain from indulging in any form of addiction. She also stressed the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices for a better future.
The programme was chaired by Nikali Sema, Principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Burma Camp, and included a pledge led by Imkumla Aier, Psychologist, NTCP Dimapur, encouraging students to stay away from tobacco and promoting a tobacco-free society.
Mon: The District Tobacco Control Cell, Mon, launched the TFYC 4.0 at Sacred Heart School, Mon.
Read more: Nagaland steps up tobacco cessation efforts
Dr. MH Daniel, Chairman of Sacred Heart School, Mon, highlighting the importance of the campaign, called upon students to make responsible choices and recognise their role in shaping a healthier future. He stated that combating tobacco use was not solely the responsibility of the government but a collective responsibility requiring the participation of every individual.
E Nyeamying Konyak, Consultant, NTCP Mon, highlighted the objectives and key focus areas of TFYC 4.0. She explained that the national initiative aims to safeguard the health and well-being of young people through awareness, enforcement and community participation.
The campaign was officially launched by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mon, Pakon Phom, who attended as guest of honour.
In his address, he underscored the importance of a healthy youth population in building a healthy nation. Highlighting the serious health consequences associated with tobacco consumption, including cancer and respiratory diseases, he urged students to remain tobacco-free, resist peer pressure and inspire others to adopt healthy lifestyles.
The programme featured a pledge-taking session led by Dr. Lihngam, Junior Dental Surgeon, District Hospital Mon.
Mokokchung: The District Tobacco Control Cell, Mokokchung, organised the launch of the TFYC 4.0 at the College of Nursing under the NTCP.
Dr. K Tiasenla, District Nodal Officer, NTCP Mokokchung, highlighted the objectives of TFYC 4.0, the ongoing challenges of tobacco use among young people and the critical role of educational institutions in nurturing a tobacco-free generation.
The campaign was officially launched by Dr. Alemwabang Aier, Medical Superintendent, IMDH, Mokokchung.
He encouraged students to become ambassadors of a tobacco-free lifestyle and urged everyone to take personal responsibility for discouraging tobacco use in their communities.
The programme was chaired by Nukshiwati Longchar, District Consultant, NTCP. The chairperson also presented a brief review of COTPA and led the pledge-taking session.