District Tobacco Control Cell, Wokha and department of Health & Family Welfare organized a one-day seminar on sensitization of women community on the harmful effects of Tobacco and COPTA Act 2003 on March 8 at LTC hall, Wokha, with EAC (Judicial) Wokha, T. Kupa as the chief guest.
According to DIPR report, the chief guest said that if proper awareness was given to the public, use of tobacco could be prevented, and called on the gathering to sensitize the public on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.
Delivering the key note address, District Nodal Officer, Wokha (NTCP) Dr. Merebini Odyuo said, it was worrisome that more than half of Nagaland population were tobacco users (57%) and added that Nagaland stood as the second highest consumer of tobacco, next to Mizoram according to GATS 2010 survey. She also informed that NTCP team, Wokha were working in creating awareness about the ills of tobacco amongst the society and have conducted awareness programmes in 26 schools, training and sensitization programmes in the churches, towns and nearby villages. More of such programmes are coming up, she informed.
MO, Wokha, Dr. Pithungo Kikon also spoke on Tobacco & Women’s Health, while Kimiri Tungoe (WDLSA) and Abeni Kikon dwelled on COPTA Act 2003 and role of women in society.
The function was chaired by Mharoni Ezong while vote of thanks was delivered by Ruutsome Savino.