The Meghalaya government has intensified its campaign towards a ‘Tobacco-Free Meghalaya’, highlighting significant progress in tobacco control through schools, colleges, and village institutions. The state-level sensitization program, themed ‘Tobacco: Business of Death’, was organized 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.
Health and Family Welfare Secretary and NHM Mission Director Ramkumar S. addressed the event, describing tobacco as a gateway substance that exposes users to serious long-term health risks. He stressed the importance of youth engagement, stating that the state’s signature campaign had demonstrated its impact by reaching schools and urged wider public participation. East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal also urged young people to resist peer pressure and avoid experimenting with tobacco.
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 noted that 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 reported that 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 program 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.
The Meghalaya government aims to expand awareness campaigns across all district headquarters through coordinated efforts involving multiple departments and stakeholders, particularly targeting the youth, as more than 60 per cent of the state’s population is below 25 years of age.
