No.646/2020-2021

Lunglei, 22nd March, 2021: National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) and National Health Mission (NHM), Mizoram joined hands to organize ‘Orientation Training for District Level Coordination Committee and other Stakeholders’ at Lunglei DC Coference Hall today. The training was attended by concerned Government officials, Lunglei District Anti-Tobacco Squad members, NGOs, mediapersons and student union leaders.

Speaking at the inauguration of the training, Lunglei DC & District Anti-Tobacco Squad Chairman Pu Kulothungan A stated that it is a matter of great concern that Mizoram continues to be one of highest consumers of tobacco in India, and stated that continuous sustained efforts need to be put in by all stakeholders to decrease the prevalence of tobacco use in Mizoram. To ensure compliance to COTPA 2003 Anti-Tobacco Committees would be set up in every Government office in Lunglei District and that the District administration would chalk out their activities and monitor their achievements, he added. 

Pu R.Lalremruata, State Consultant, NTCP gave a lecture on Tobacco Control in Mizoram and COTPA 2003.

The latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-17 revealed that 58.7 per cent of Mizoram population consume tobacco in smoke or smokeless form. This figure is an improvement from the earlier Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2009-10 result of 67.2% where Mizoram was ranked the highest among Indian states on prevalence of tobacco use. As per the latest survey, Tripura with 64.5% per cent of its population consuming tobacco is number one in the country in prevalence of tobacco use, followed by Mizoram.