A one-day capacity building programme under the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 3.0 (TFYC 3.0) was organised on Thursday by the District Health Society (DHS), Pherzawl, at J.S. School, Parbung. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco among teachers, police personnel, and leaders of civil society organisations (CSOs).
Teachers from various schools in Parbung, Lungthulien, Damdei, and Taithu attended the event along with police officers and community leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hmanglamkhup Kom, highlighted the serious health risks associated with tobacco use and emphasised the goal of making all schools Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI). He urged teachers to become “agents of change” by promoting tobacco-free environments not only in schools but also in their families and communities.
A police officer briefed the participants on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, explaining the penalties for smoking in prohibited areas. One of the participating headmasters shared his commitment to keeping educational institutions tobacco-free.