Kohima, Oct 9: Nagaland State-level launch of Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0, organized by the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, was held at Baptist College, in Kohima today.
In line with its commitment to tobacco control and the vision of a tobacco-free generation, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, has institutionalized the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) as an annual national initiative since 2023. The campaign aims to educate and empower young people across the country to resist or quit tobacco use.
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Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Anoop Khinchi, IAS, officially launched the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0. In his address, he described the launch as both “timely and strategic,” citing the high burden of tobacco use among both adults and children in Nagaland and the declining age of initiation. He called for a shift from isolated interventions to a system-wide approach.
He emphasized the urgency of tackling tobacco use, which remains a major public health challenge, and stronger inter-departmental coordination, tobacco vendor licensing, and capacity building of stakeholders. “Every school declared tobacco-free, every village enforcing the law, and every young person who chooses to say no to tobacco is a step toward a healthier Nagaland,” he said. He also administered the Anti-Tobacco Pledge, reaffirming the collective commitment.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, she shared that under TFYC 1.0 and 2.0, Nagaland made remarkable progress declaring numerous Tobacco Free Educational Institutions and Tobacco Free Villages, while strengthening enforcement of COTPA, 2003 and PECA, 2019.However, She also underscored the persistent challenge: according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4), 43% of school-going children aged 13–15 years in Nagaland currently use some form of tobacco, a figure mirrored among adults in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2).
In his Opening Remarks, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Nagaland, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, reiterated the Government’s commitment to preventive health and behavioural changes among young people. He called upon students to act as ambassadors of the campaign, spreading awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco use and influencing their peers and families to make healthy choices.
Highlighting the importance of the 60-day campaign period, Dr. Theyo urged every district to demonstrate innovation and leadership through daily reporting, reviews, and field action.
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Delivering the highlights of the campaign, Dr. I. Simon Sumi, State Nodal Officer, NTCP, presented an overview of the objectives and strategies of TFYC 3.0. He informed that daily reporting and periodic state-level reviews will be undertaken, and that a series of activities and awareness drives have been planned across districts over the 60-day campaign period.
Dr. Enünü Sale, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Baptist College chaired the event , an invocation and welcome note delivered by Dr. Kewepfuzu Lohe, Principal, Baptist College Kohima. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Neingutunuo Angami, District Nodal Officer, NTCP Kohima.
(Newmai News Network)