Workshop assesses anti-tobacco measures at NHM Conference Hall

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: A workshop was conducted on Wednesday at the NHM Conference Hall, Directorate of Health Services, Shillong, to disseminate the findings of baseline assessment on compliance of COTPA, 2003 and public opinion poll on prohibition of smoking in public places.

The baseline assessment was conducted in East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills districts during the end of 2018.

The workshop started with a welcome and keynote address by Dr Star Pala, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, NEIGRIHMS.

Dr Lana E Lyngdoh Nongbri, State Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) & NOHP informed the gathering about the achievements of NTCP in Meghalaya.

She mentioned that “Smoke-free Shillong” campaign is an ongoing process and in order to achieve it, multi-sectoral approach is required.

Dr Lyngdoh Nongbri also mentioned that not only it is important for different departments to collaborate together but the community and society must come together to free ourselves from the ill-effects of tobacco use and start moving towards a healthy future.

The findings of baselines assessment show that there are very less “No Smoking” signage in public places but as per law all public places must display “No Smoking” signage.

There are instances of tobacco products being sold by minors as well as by minors. There was no display of “no sale to minors” at shops.

There was no display of “100 yards radius” signage in educational institutions.

All Indian tobacco products observed for the purpose of the study are fully compliant to COTPA.

For public opinion poll on prohibition of smoking in public places, some of the respondents are aware of COTPA during the time of the study.

About a quarter of the respondents agreed that smoking causes economic burden and that second-hand smoke is as harmful as regular smoking.

About half of the respondents are smokers, and about half the respondents who smoke wants to quit smoking.

Almost all the respondents agrees that “No Smoking” signage helps in creating smoke-free environment, they agreed that smoking should be banned in public places and that smoking is seriously harmful for health.

The achievements of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) since the time of conducting the study was presented by the State Consultant of NTCP.

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