Dimapur, Aug. 18 (EMN): Under the initiative of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, Limawabang Jamir, launched the smoke-free district headquarters campaign in his official residence on August 17. The NTCP district nodal officer, Dr. Taliwaba Ao, dental doctors from IMDH and Run Mokokchung group were present at the launch event.
An update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Mokokchung, stated that NTCP consultant and chairperson of the programme, Nukshiwati Longchar highlighted the objectives of the campaign on ban of smoking in public places and how second-hand smoke affects the non-smokers especially women and children.
He emphasised on sensitising the public through poster campaigns at public places and to discourage smoking. He also informed about various activities to be undertaken during awareness campaigns with different agencies and groups and enforcement of Cotpa 2003 section 4 and 6 around Mokokchung town.
The deputy commissioner and chairman of district level coordination committee (DLCC, Limawabang Jamir, appreciated the initiative of the NTCP and expressed concern on smoking in public places. He assured that the campaign would be strongly implemented within the district especially in all the government offices, banks and public transports.
On noticing the young attendees from Run Mokokchung group and their enthusiasm towards a fit and healthy lifestyle, he encouraged them to continue the same. He was optimistic that the battle against those substances would slowly gain momentum through the campaign for a better and healthier environment.
In a similar programme, a smoke-free district headquarters campaign in Tuensang was launched by the deputy commissioner, Kumar Ramnikant, in his office’s conference hall on August 17.
Speaking at the programme, the DC stated that nicotine present in the smoking and non-smoking tobacco substances contain carcinogen which causes cancer. He added that smoking tobacco not only harms the primary consumer but also the non-consumers.
“Smoking tobacco destroys the respiratory system in humans and with the Covid pandemic, those with respiratory problems can be a victim of it,” he said.
He also asked the tobacco consumer control cell to expand the smoke-free campaign to the whole of the district.
The Tuensang superintendent of police, Amit Nigam, spoke on Section 4 of Cotpa 2003 which bans smoking in public places and Section 6a and 6b of Cotpa 2003 prohibiting selling of tobacco products to underage individuals and prohibition of selling tobacco products within the 100 yards around the premises of educational institution.
He further encouraged the citizens to cooperate with the police and also help give awareness to the public on Cotpa 2003 so that police can enforce the law successfully.
Dr. Ao Yanger, junior dental specialist, highlighted the aims of the campaign to the house. Certificates were also presented to tobacco-free schools and villages namely St John Higher Secondary School, Akum Imlong School and Kuthur village.