Shillong, Aug 7: Meghalaya intensified its push for a “Tobacco-Free Meghalaya” on Friday with a state-level event at Windermere Hotel, Umpling, themed “Tobacco: Business of Death”. Organized by the National Tobacco Control Programme under NHM Meghalaya, the programme brought together health, education, police and community leaders to strengthen the fight against tobacco use.
Ramkumar S, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare and Mission Director NHM, said tobacco remains a gateway to serious long-term health risks. With over 60% of the state’s population under 25, he stressed the need to expand campaigns to every district headquarters. “I realized the impact of this signature campaign in schools. An impact of this level is possible only if more people join,” he said.
Abhilash Baranwal, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, urged students to resist peer pressure. “Real freedom and real courage are not in fitting in. It is in standing out when the atmosphere around you is asking you to do something you know is wrong. The exercise of courage is in saying no,” he said, calling on youth to guide friends away from tobacco.
Richa Kulkarni, Director of School Education and Literacy, said the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution initiative has reached nearly 6 lakh students across more than 10,000 schools. She noted Meghalaya’s emergence as a top-performing state in tobacco control and credited students for driving the change.
Ivan Diengdoh, Additional Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, explained key provisions of COTPA, including bans on public smoking, tobacco advertising, and sale to minors. He said Meghalaya Police are focusing on awareness among youth, vendors and communities.
Dr. Nabaneeta D. Mawrie, Sr Dental Surgeon, NTCP, said the ToFEI initiative has achieved 85% school coverage across 11 districts in five years, training over 28,000 teachers and engaging 7.3 lakh students through 3.7 lakh activities. In three years, 83% of colleges have been made tobacco-free. The Tobacco Free Village programme now has 81% of its 1,052 Village Health Councils active, making it one of India’s largest community-led tobacco control efforts.
The event also featured an invocation by Byrki Choir, an interactive session by Kynpham Syiem Lamurong, a short play by Women’s College and a musical drama by St. Edmund’s College. Quiz and poster competitions were held to engage participants. Top-performing Village Health Councils, schools, students, police units and district teams were felicitated, and all present took a pledge for a “Tobacco Free Meghalaya”.
