A programme ‘Tobacco Control in Times of Covid-19 Pandemic’, a Panchayati Raj initiative, was held at Panchayat hall in Signal Angami village here on Friday.
The programme was organised by the Dimapur District Tobacco Control Cell.
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Speaking as a resource person, district nodal officer, National Tobacco Control Programme, Dimapur, Dr Reyosalu Lase Vizo said the dangers of tobacco consumption need to be taken seriously, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, as it can complicate situation both in terms of transmission and co-morbidities.
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He highlighted that tobacco kills eight million people globally every year.
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Vizo said tobacco use, in general, has a higher chance of transmission of Covid-19 by hand to mouth contact and also through spitting which can lead to community transmission. Therefore, spitting in public is banned and is a punishable offence now, he said.
A PowerPoint presentation on the management of Covid-19 dead body was presented during the programme. There is unlikely to be increased risk of Covid-19 infection from a dead body to health workers or family members if proper precautions according to SOP are taken as the main source of infection is through droplets and a dead body cannot sneeze or cough, according to the presentation.
The programme was attended by elders, women and student leaders of the village.
Posters, pamphlets and masks were distributed to the participants.