Tobacco epidemic: Doctor warns of devastating effects on Nagaland's youth

Resource speakers along with children and teachers during the third phase of RMLCF tobacco-free campaign at G Rio School, Kohima on Friday. (EM Images)

• KOHIMA — Dr. Keduovinuo Keditsu, consultant cancer surgeon at Putuonuo Hospital in Kohima, on Friday said that Nagaland is facing an epidemic of tobacco use amongst teenagers.
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• She made this remark during the Rev. Moa Longchari Cancer Foundation (RMLCF) tobacco-free campaign 2025 (phase III) held at G Rio School in Kohima on Friday.
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• Speaking on the ill effects and consequences of tobacco consumption, especially among schoolchildren, she said that it can have a negative effect on their performances.

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• She cited the National Factsheet Global Youth Tobacco Survey India 2019 data of tobacco users among students at the age of 13 to 15 years—Arunachal and Mizoram had the highest number of consumers at 57.9; Nagaland had 42.6%, followed by Meghalaya with 33.6%.
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• The doctor shared that nicotine affects parts of the brain responsible for learning, attention, and mood and impulse control. Tobacco use also results in poor concentration, like mental interruptions, drowsiness and distraction, as well as poor physical performances among children, she said.
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• She further added that tobacco use causes lung cancer, tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, lung infections, and pneumonia.
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• “After long-term use of tobacco, one will start getting cataracts and will not be able to see things clearly. Tobacco also affects ears and develops hearing problems. Especially children born of mothers who are smokers, they start having hearing problems. That is one of the reasons why children are born dead. It also affects bones and skin,” she said.
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• Many people have blood pressure and heart problems because of damage caused by tobacco in their blood vessels, the doctor said.
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• Also, Keditsu said that many Nagas suffer from infertility and impotency due to tobacco use.
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• She urged the tobacco users to quit, saying it leads to a slow, painful death.
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• President of RMLCF Khrienuo Moa informed that around 360 students and teachers from 22 schools in Kohima participated in the programme. The tobacco-free campaign was started in 2023 to create awareness among school-going children of the harmful effects of tobacco.
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• She further informed that with the tobacco-free campaign, tobacco-free clubs have been launched in schools. She encouraged students to take an active part in the clubs.
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  Dr Keduovinuo Keditsu speaking at the RMLCF tobacco-free campaign at G Rio School, Kohima. (EM Images)

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• A representative from the National Tobacco Control Programme Kohima district team also spoke on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act of 2003 (COTPA).