Shillong, Aug 7 (IANS) The Meghalaya government on Friday intensified its campaign towards a “Tobacco‑Free Meghalaya”, highlighting significant progress in tobacco control through schools, colleges and village institutions while calling for greater youth participation to curb tobacco use.
A state‑level sensitisation program themed “Tobacco: Business of Death” was organised by the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Shillong, bringing together senior government officials, educators, law enforcement agencies and students, officials said.
Addressing the event, Health and Family Welfare Secretary and NHM Mission Director Ramkumar S. described tobacco as a gateway substance that exposes users to serious long‑term health risks. Stressing the importance of youth engagement, he said the state’s signature campaign had demonstrated its impact by reaching schools and urged wider public participation.
Pointing out that more than 60 per cent of Meghalaya’s population is below 25 years of age, he called for expanding awareness campaigns across all district headquarters through coordinated efforts involving multiple departments and stakeholders.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal urged young people to resist peer pressure and avoid experimenting with tobacco. He said true courage lies in refusing harmful habits and encouraged students to help friends stay away from tobacco products.
Director of School Education and Literacy Richa Kulkarni said the Tobacco‑Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) initiative has reached nearly six lakh students in more than 10,000 schools across the state. She said early intervention through schools has enabled students to emerge as health ambassadors while contributing to Meghalaya’s strong performance in tobacco control.
Additional Superintendent of Police Ivan Diengdoh highlighted provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), reminding participants that smoking in public places, tobacco advertising and the sale of tobacco to or by minors are prohibited by law.
NTCP Senior Dental Surgeon Nabaneeta D. Mawrie said ToFEI has achieved around 85 per cent school coverage across all 11 districts over the past five years, involving more than 28,000 teachers and 7.3 lakh students. She added that 83 per cent of colleges have become tobacco‑free, while over 1,050 Village Health Councils are actively implementing tobacco‑control measures.
The programme concluded with awards for outstanding schools, Village Health Councils, students, police units and district administrations, followed by a pledge to work towards a tobacco‑free Meghalaya.
–IANS
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