AIZAWL, June 1 � Thingsul Tlangnuam village in Mizoram has been declared �Tobacco free village� by Indian Society on Tobacco & Health (Mizoram Chapter) on Friday.
The programme was held on the occasion at the village Presbyterian Kohhran Hall which was attended by the Health Secretary Esther Lal Ruatkimi and people of Thingsul Tlangnuam village.
President of Indian Society on Tobacco & Health (Mizoram Chapter) Lal Riliani said that it is the peoples� responsibility to fight against tobacco and related products which claims people�s lives and also affects peoples� health.
She also mentioned that as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey report, 67 per cent of the people of Mizoram are found to be consuming tobacco and related products, and that the Economics & Statistics deptt. of Mizoram also found that most number of deaths in the State are due to diseases caused by tobacco and related products.
The Chapter President also mentioned how since the past 23 years from its inception, the Indian Society on Tobacco & Health (Mizoram Chapter) has been taking active steps in imparting instructions on the hazardous effects of tobacco consumption and in campaigning the people to avoid the same for good.
She lauded Thingsul Tlangnuam village for its outstanding performance in curbing tobacco and related products and declared the village as �Tobacco free village�.
Health Secretary Esther Lal Ruatkimi said, acknowledging the bad effects of tobacco and related consumption, a nation-wide campaign is being carried out. The government has also come up with prohibition laws known popularly as COTPA. The programme was also addressed by Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society Nodal Officer Dr Jane R Ralte and VL Bela.
Thingsul Tlangnuam village has started taking active steps since the middle of 2012 in order to attain the status of Tobacco Free Village. On learning their move, Indian Society on Tobacco and Health (Mizoram Chapter) and Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society extended help as necessary. Various churches, NGOs, and representatives of Village Council and local authorities formed Anti-Tobacco Committees and carried out the campaign in every house of the village.
