DIMAPUR, June 13 - Amid lockdown, the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) has been carrying out its activities across Nagaland to enforce the ban on spitting and sale of tobacco products to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.
Under the directive of the Union Health Ministry and taking into account the advisory of the World Health Organisation and the Indian Council of Medical Research, the District Tobacco Control Cells (DTCCs) are conducting talks, seminars and meetings on the prohibition order on sale of tobacco products and spitting at public places, besides maintaining social distancing, said District Consultant of the STCC Linoka K Awomi today.
The Health and Family Welfare Department is continuing to prioritise the promotion of �Tobacco Free Village� by identifying new villages, while the DTCCs are coordinating with the village authorities to implement the norms and guidelines to achieve the status, he said.
Awomi said anti-tobacco enforcement drives are being carried out along with the local authorities and civil society organisations by penalising vendors and confiscating tobacco products.
Poster campaigns are also being undertaken at strategic places like district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, government offices, market streets and quarantine facilities.
Another crucial campaign is the broadcast of anti-tobacco message on All India Radio, FM Tragopan.
As part of the tobacco cessation programme, focused group discussions are being carried out with current tobacco users to help them quit tobacco products.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the NTPC and the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Dimapur, for setting up a centre of excellence for tobacco cessation on June 6, Awomi added.
