One-day workshop for enforcement officers and anti-tobacco squad on harmful effects of tobacco and COTPA 2003 was held at Conclave Conference Hall, LCS Building, Kohima on July 12.
According to DIPR report, state nodal officer (NTCP) and joint director, Health & Family Welfare department, Dr. H. Hotokhu Chishi and legal aid counsel, JJB Kohima, Akumla Longchari were the resource persons of the workshop.
Speaking on ‘Hazards of tobacco’ Dr. Hotokhu informed that tobacco was the only legal product in the market that kills 50% of its users globally where India was the third largest producer in the world next to China and Brasil and the second largest consumer in the world next to China which leads to largest number of oral cancer in the world resulting in 2200 deaths every day and 10 lakh every year due to tobacco use.
As per GATS 2010 released by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Hotokhu informed that Nagaland Tobacco Statistic shows an overall 57% prevalence of tobacco use- 26.3% cigarette, 11.8% Bidi and 45.0% smokeless tobacco.
He highlighted the burdens of tobacco in term of health, economy and environment.
In this regard, Dr. Hotokhu said Nagaland had got advantages since there was no agriculture or job shifting problem, no production and processing industry, no tobacco support lobby and moreover a responsive community; Christian majority.
He also added that it was not only the domain of Health & Family Welfare Department nor the District Administration but every individual to be a responsive to the cause and make Nagaland ‘Tobacco Free’ and ‘Smoke Free’.
Akumla Longchari, who spoke on ‘Tobacco Control Act (COTPA 2003), highlighted the main provisions of the Act which included prohibition of smoking in public places, prohibition of advertisement of tobacco products, prohibition on sale of product to and by minor and specific health warnings on tobacco products.
On the Law dealing with ‘Smoking in public places’, she informed that Central Government or State Government may appoint one or more persons to take action against any person smoking in public places, which can be settled on the spot by the enforcement officer. She further highlighted the ‘Role of Enforcement Officials’ where the notified officers could conducts surprise checks and routine inspections at restaurants, hotels, government and other public buildings and transport and penalty could be imposed on violators. She also highlighted on the other laws beside COTPA’ and suggested various measures for effective implementation of the Act.
Also speaking on the occasion, deputy commissioner Kohima and chairman, DLCC, Rovilatuo Mor, IAS, expressed optimism that the members had taken serious note of it and were clear about the harmful effects of tobacco through the workshop. To control the harmful effects of tobacco, DC informed that the first steps taken by the DLCC was making Kohima a Smoke Free City which was declared on April 28, 2016 followed by the guidelines and action plan laid by DLCC for effective Implementation of Smoke free Kohima city.
He therefore requested all the enforcement officers to create awareness on the guidelines and take active part and initiative in their respective areas for the successful implementation of the smoke free city and create a healthy environment with equal participation.
Earlier, district nodal officer, Dr. Arenla Walling , welcomed all the enforcement officers from different departments to the workshop.