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Ukhrul Unites the World on World No Tobacco Day

EHA-Project Rapha, Ukhrul joint hands with the rest of the world in observing World No Tobacco Day on the 31st of May 2009, at town hall. This is probably the first time Ukhrul has observed World No Tobacco Day as there is no record of observance maintained by the district health department and NGOs. The program was attended by about 400 individuals including students, NGO representatives, social and locality leaders and citizens. The event was marked by two important items (i) scientific model display competition based on the theme “Cigarette Smoking is Injurious to Health” amongst school students. The first, second and third prize was awarded to three female students from Blesso Montessori School, with cash prize of Rs. 2000, Rs 1500 and Rs 1000 respectively. The Judges for the competition was Dr. Jim King Jajo, CMO, Ukhrul, Dr. Ayao Muivah, ENT specialist, District Hospital, Ukhrul, Dr. Matthias Jajo, Leishiphung Hospital, Ukhrul. Dr. Ayao Muivah expounded the theme ‘Tobacco Health Warnings’ giving especial emphasis on effects of second hand smoke. (ii) Public declaration of tobacco smoking control policy drafted Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (Tangkhul Youth Council) and EHA-Project Rapha in a joint sitting on 27th MAY 2009. The policy was adopted from the previous policy drafted by Tangkhul Youth Council, in which smoking in public place and public gathering was banned, the new tobacco smoking control policy added few more area of restriction of smoking- church campus, pastor quarter, family home, toilet (family/ public) and shops, these places were not specifically mentioned in the previous issues.

World No Tobacco Day

Touching lives:
(i) when the Deputy Commission, Ukhrul, was approached to extent financial aid to the event, the DC willingly extended help because he was pleased to learn that none of the EHA-Project Rapha uses tobacco in any form.
(ii) The President of the Tangkhul Shanao Long (Tangkhul Women League) was the Chief Guest of the event. When she was approached to grace the occasion she honestly confessed that she use tobacco in the form chewing pan so she might not be the best example for the young generation but after discussing effects of tobacco use in detail she took it as challenge for herself and for the youngster and agreed to grace the occasion as chief guest.
(iii) The event was entertained by composer/singer Mr. Source Mashangva (Akui) who was once a smoker.
(iv) Mr. Prakhas, a team member of Addictive Behavior Counseling, YWAM shared his story of being a chain smoker for 14 years and how gave up through determination, maintaining accountability and with God’s help.

Social Mobilization and Follow up Program:
With just one day event the impact of the message given would be restricted to few hundreds and there would be no sustainability. EHA- Project Rapha mobilized Tangkhul Women League and Tangkhul Youth Council to work together to create awareness. The joint sitting of the two social organization and EHA-project Rapha held on 27th May decided to bring out IEC material on effects of Tobacco use in local dialect. There will be locality wise awareness program using the platform of the women and youth organization unit in locality and villages. There is no budget for this however; the organizations are willing to mobilize funds from well wishers.

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