Officially, the village of Shang was certified tobacco-free

INN/Leh, @Infodeaofficial

An important turning point in the area’s dedication to a healthy future was reached when the village of Shang was formally certified tobacco-free. To maintain this progress, a Village Tobacco Monitoring Committee has been formed.

Dr. Stanzin Jamyang, the National Tobacco Control Program’s (NTCP) District Consultant, spoke at the occasion and emphasised the program’s emphasis on shielding teenagers from tobacco addiction, which is frequently stoked by peer pressure. He urged the society to give young people the confidence to refuse smoking, which often begins with cigarettes and can result in long-term dependence.

A psychologist at SNM Leh named Phunchok Diskit stressed the value of parental participation in helping kids avoid bad habits and encouraged parents to spend more time with their kids. To further promote a safer environment for pupils, a stringent prohibition on the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of schools was also announced.

Participation in the tobacco cessation clinics, which the health department established to assist these initiatives, has increased. These clinics offer services including mobile counselling and nicotine patches.

Tsering Angmo, an NTCP social worker, also addressed the unique challenges faced by teenagers and underscored the importance of continued education and support to keep them tobacco-free. In addition to these initiatives, a painting competition and a rally were organized to raise awareness on the topic.