Chedema model village declared free from tobacco
Correspondent
KOHIMA, May 16, 2019: Chedema Model Village in Nagaland has been formally declared as 'Tobacco Free Village' by Dr. Hotokhu Chishi State Nodal Officer (NTCP) and Additional Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.
The village, established in the year 1969-70 with fifteen household, has come up with a decision to ban sale of any tobacco products in the village since 1972 considering the harmful effects of tobacco, and today the result of upholding it's decision has achieved the title ‘the eight village being declared as Tobacco Free village' in the district. The other seven declared Tobacco Free villages included four villages at Rengma range, Khonoma, Jotsoma and Gariphema in the district.
ADC Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa in her short speech congratulated the village for upholding its decision for decades and achieving the title. She encouraged them to continue their system of unity and determination in future and to set an example to others. ' A model village has a big responsibility to think and to act carefully in many ways' said Rutsa and requested them to be pro-active in creating awareness of the ill effects of tobacco. She also hoped that with such unity and determination, it will not be long for the village to be declared as the cleanest village or plastic free village in future.
Declaring the village as Tobacco Free Village, Dr. Hotokhu appreciated the decision taken by the village. He requested the elders and parents to pass on the awareness from generation to generations for overall improvement of health status in the village.