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Dimapur, Sep. 4 (EMN): District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), Dimapur, organised a panchayati raj initiative on “Tobacco control in times of Covid-19 pandemic” at the Signal Angami village panchayat hall on September 4.
The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) district nodal officer informed that globally, tobacco kills eight million people every year. He warned that the dangers of tobacco consumption need to be taken seriously especially during Covid-19 pandemic as it could complicate the situation both in terms of transmission and co-morbidities.
“Tobacco use in general has a higher chance of transmission of Covid-19 virus by hand to mouth contact and also through spitting, which can lead to community transmission. Therefore, spitting in public is banned and is a punishable offence now,” he stated.
A power point presentation on “Management of Covid-19 dead body” was also presented, wherein it was informed that there is unlikely to be increased risk of Covid-19 infection from a dead body to healthcare workers or family if proper precautions according to SOP are taken. As the main source of infection is through droplets, the public were informed that virus cannot be transmitted through handling of dead body as they cannot sneeze or cough, an update from DTCC stated.
Chaired by the village youth president, Kezevi Natso, the programme was attended by leaders from the village including women and students of the village. Posters, pamphlets and masks were distributed to the participants.