A Tobacco free Nagaland
Nagaland launches the 60-day Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 aimed at promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle among the youth. This is an adoption of an article published at Morung Express. The link to the original article is shared at the end.
Kohima, September 24 – In a significant stride towards curbing tobacco consumption among the youth, Nagaland has officially launched the state-level Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0. The 60-day campaign, initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was unveiled on September 24 by Dr E Motsuthung Patton, Principal Director of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, at Mount Olive College, Kohima.
This much-needed campaign, running until November 24, simultaneously kicked off in 11 NTCP districts through District Tobacco Control Cells. Its mission? To raise awareness and foster a healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle amongst Nagaland’s youth, a demographic particularly vulnerable to the lure of tobacco products.
Collective Responsibility for a Healthier Future
In his inaugural address, Dr Patton underscored the pressing need for a unified effort to rid young people of tobacco’s grasp. “Our collective effort in this campaign is crucial for fostering a healthier, tobacco-free environment for our youth. We must leverage every tool at our disposal to safeguard our future generations,” he remarked, rallying the audience to take decisive action.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr Arenla Walling, Joint Director (Dental) and State Nodal Officer for NTCP, delivered the keynote address, detailing the campaign’s strategies to effectively address tobacco consumption among the younger population. The event was peppered with poignant moments, including a special performance by the Female Voice from Mount Olive College and an anti-tobacco pledge that reinforced the campaign’s message of hope and health.
Comprehensive Strategies for Change
At the heart of Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 are four key strategies designed to tackle tobacco use head-on. First and foremost, the campaign will intensify public awareness through education about the health risks associated with tobacco consumption. The importance of such awareness cannot be overstated, as knowledge often serves as the first line of defence against harmful habits.
The second prong of the campaign is ensuring compliance with Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) norms, creating healthier environments for learning, free from tobacco’s pervasive influence.
Strengthening the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 forms the third strategy, reinforcing existing laws to curb the sale and consumption of tobacco products, especially among minors.
Additionally, the campaign will promote and support the establishment of tobacco-free communities. The aim here is to build a broader, community-led resistance to tobacco, transforming public spaces into zones where tobacco has no place.
Engaging the Digital Generation
This year’s campaign has introduced a fifth, timely strategy – amplifying its presence on social media. By engaging young people on digital platforms, the campaign hopes to counter the glamorisation of tobacco often promoted by the industry. It’s a no-brainer that social media has become the modern-day battleground for hearts and minds, and the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign intends to win this fight by directly involving youth and encouraging them to stand against tobacco in all its guises.
A Unified Approach
With the backing of schools, colleges, and community organisations across Nagaland, the campaign is set to host workshops, awareness drives, and interactive sessions with students and young adults. This hands-on approach is essential to instil in young people the knowledge and resilience needed to resist tobacco’s allure.
As we all know, tackling a challenge like tobacco consumption is no easy feat. It’s not just a flash in the pan; it requires long-term commitment, collective effort, and continuous engagement. The launch of this campaign signals Nagaland’s intent to make a real difference in the lives of its youth – and, by extension, its future.
In the words of Dr Patton, “We must leverage every tool at our disposal to safeguard our future generations.” With the momentum gained from this campaign, there’s hope that Nagaland can set a strong example for the rest of the country, showing that when it comes to public health, we can all pull together and make a difference.
To read the article in Morung Express click HERE.
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