Department of Health and Family Welfare officials with students and faculty of Bethel Higher Secondary School, Kohima during the observance of the World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
Nagaland launches 7-day digital campaign on World No Tobacco Day
KOHIMA, MAY 31 (MExN): The Nagaland government on Saturday launched a seven-day digital awareness campaign titled “Exposing Tobacco Harms” as part of the state-level observance of World No Tobacco Day 2025.
Organised by the Department of Health and Family Welfare through the State Tobacco Control Cell under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the campaign aims to expose the health risks of tobacco use and the deceptive tactics employed by the tobacco industry. The initiative will involve schools, health professionals, and communities across the state.
Speaking at the launch event held at Bethel Higher Secondary School, Kohima, Commissioner and Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Anoop Khinchi, IAS, said the government remains committed to strong tobacco control policies, multi-sectoral collaboration, and grassroots-level engagement.
Referring to this year’s global theme “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” Khinchi warned against the aggressive targeting of youth through attractive packaging, social media, and misleading advertising. He urged students to refrain from tobacco use in any form and called for collective action to counter industry influence.
He also highlighted various state-level initiatives, including district-wide TOFEI (Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions), tobacco-free villages, and Tobacco Vendor Licensing. Notably, teachers have been notified as enforcement officers under Section 6(b) of COTPA to curb tobacco use in school zones. All schools and medical establishments under the Health Department have already been declared tobacco-free, he added.
Dr Arenla Walling, Additional Director (Dental) and State Nodal Officer (NTCP), introduced the campaign theme and spoke on how the tobacco industry uses fun packaging and misleading promotions to attract new users.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Mereninla Senlem, Director and Head of Department, Health & Family Welfare, cited alarming data showing that over 43 per cent of adults and school-going children in Nagaland use tobacco. She underscored the link between tobacco use and rising rates of oral cancer and urged students to resist peer pressure and industry propaganda.
The event was chaired by Dr Tinurenla Anichari, Deputy Director (NVBDCP), and began with an invocation by Hechilo Semy. Vice Principal of BHSS, Asalie Peseyie, delivered the welcome address. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Neingutunuo Angami, Senior Dental Surgeon, NHAK.
