Dimapur: Gariphema village under Kohima district was designated and declared as the best-performing tobacco village on the World No Tobacco Day at a programme held at TM Government Hr. Secondary School Kohima on Friday.
Organised by the District Tobacco Control Cell, Kohima, the day was celebrated to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and help addicted people get rid of the toxic and addictive substance.
Nagaland Higher Education Department’s additional director Dr K Nishena Nekha, who graced the programme as the special guest, highlighted the dangers of using tobacco and emphasized raising awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco and the importance of tobacco-free programmes.
He also exhorted the students to learn good habits at an early age to combat tobacco use and how individuals worldwide can assert their right to health and healthy living to protect future generations.
Theme speaker from Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research Dr Thungbeni Ngullie spoke on the theme ‘protecting children from tobacco industry interference’.
She said tobacco consumption, in any form, is extremely unhealthy for the body, leading to cancer and other diseases.
She said while active smoking can lead to painful death, passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoking, is equally unhealthy.
“Tobacco use, whether through smoking, sniffing, or chewing, can be devastating for health. Its long-term use can raise the risk of heart illnesses, respiratory diseases, and cancer, among other chronic conditions,” Ngullie added.
The day was also observed in other parts of the state, including Mon and Kiphire districts.