A section of attendees during the state-level launch of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0 at NIAH, Paramedical, Kohima, on October 28. ((Photo Courtesy: DoHFW Photo)
Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0 across State
Kohima, October 28 (MExN): Nagaland has launched the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 4.0 in 11 districts, with targets to increase tobacco-control enforcement by 20%, expand Tobacco-Free Village coverage by 50% and engage 30% of universities and colleges in the state.
The 60-day campaign was launched at the Nagaland Institute of Allied and Healthcare (NIAH), Paramedical, Kohima, by Dr Imotemsu, Director, Family Welfare, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, who attended as the special guest.
According to a press release from the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, the campaign aims to strengthen tobacco prevention, improve compliance with tobacco-control laws and mobilise educational institutions and communities to protect young people from tobacco use.
The campaign has six key strategies: public awareness, Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions, Tobacco-Free Villages, enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, social media engagement, and engagement with universities and colleges.
Among the key targets is the conduct of at least 30 information, education and communication (IEC) events in each district, alongside a 50% increase in institutional compliance and Tobacco-Free Village coverage. The campaign also seeks to increase enforcement activities by 20% and onboard 30% of universities and colleges in Nagaland.
Addressing the launch, Dr Imotemsu stressed the need to utilise the 60-day period to intensify tobacco-control activities, strengthen coordination across districts and assess progress against the campaign targets. He also called for sustained implementation of tobacco-control measures beyond the campaign period.
Dr I Simon Sumi, State Nodal Officer, NTCP, delivered the keynote address, outlining the campaign's six strategies and highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco use, particularly among young people.
The programme featured a welcome address by Dr Akaba Jamir, Principal, NIAH, and was chaired by Dr Neingtunuo Angami, District Nodal Officer, NTCP, Kohima. Dr N Moangangba Jamir, State Programme Officer, National Oral Health Programme, delivered the concluding remarks.
Meanwhile, the campaign was also launched in districts across Nagaland on October 28, bringing together stakeholders to discuss key tobacco-control issues, strategies for implementation and the way forward, alongside pledge-taking sessions to promote a tobacco-free society.
Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0
The Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0 is a 60-day initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Education, Government of India, aimed at protecting young people from traditional tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes and vapes.
Six key strategies:
• Public awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco
• Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions
• Tobacco-Free Villages
• Enforcement of COTPA, 2003, and PECA, 2019
• Social media engagement
• Engagement with universities and colleges
Nagaland's campaign targets:
• At least 30 information, education and communication (IEC) events per district
• 50% increase in institutional compliance and Tobacco-Free Village coverage
• 20% increase in enforcement activities
• Engagement of 30% of universities and colleges in the state.
