The Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 was officially launched in Kakching District with an energetic and inspiring Cyclathon Rally organised by the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) Cell, District Health Society Kakching, under the supervision of the District Administration.
The event, held on Monday morning, saw around 30 enthusiastic students cycle through the streets of Kakching, carrying banners and placards promoting the message of a “Tobacco-Free Generation.” The rally symbolized a collective stand for a healthier future and the growing youth movement against tobacco use.
The Cyclathon was flagged off by Shri Rohit Anand, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kakching, in the presence of Smt. Priyadarshini Laishram, Superintendent of Police, Kakching, Dr. Thoudem Rajen, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kakching, and other senior officials from health and education departments.
Youth at the Heart of the Movement
Speaking at the event, DC Rohit Anand commended the young participants for taking the lead in spreading awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco.
“This campaign is not just about quitting tobacco — it’s about building a generation that refuses to start. Our goal is to make Kakching a model district for a tobacco-free Manipur,” he said.
The Cyclathon was followed by a District-Level Coordinating Committee (DLCC) meeting held under the NTCP framework. The meeting reviewed strategies for declaring educational institutions, workplaces, and villages across Kakching as tobacco-free zones.
Officials discussed measures such as implementing 100-yard “no-sale” zones around schools and colleges, regular enforcement checks, and awareness campaigns through essay writing, painting, and quiz competitions to engage students in creative ways.
A Step Toward Healthier Communities
CMO Dr. Thoudem Rajen emphasized that while awareness is growing, enforcement and sustained engagement are key.
“Behavioral change takes time, but when young people become advocates, the message spreads faster and deeper,” he noted.
SP Priyadarshini Laishram assured full cooperation from the police department to ensure strict adherence to tobacco control laws and to protect youth from exposure to tobacco use and sale near schools.
The event concluded with the students taking a “Tobacco-Free Pledge”, vowing to remain smoke-free and to encourage peers and families to do the same.
Towards a Tobacco-Free Kakching
The Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 aims to reinforce the objectives of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) by strengthening grassroots-level awareness, reducing tobacco consumption, and mobilizing youth as change agents.
The Kakching district administration plans to extend the initiative through school-based health clubs, community clean-up drives, and public engagement campaigns, making the district a leading example of collective action for a tobacco-free society.