Press Release
Press Release from Chief Medical Officer, Pakyong District
Information & Public Relations Department
Pakyong, December 11: Awareness Session on “Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0” and Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act ( COTPA) 2003 Held at Pachey Senior Secondary School
The Health and Family Welfare Department, Pakyong District, conducted an awareness session today at Pachey Senior Secondary School focusing on the “Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0” and the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003. The program was led by Dr. Digcha Shree Rai, Program Coordinator, National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP).
The session was organised in three phases, with the aim of educating students on the harmful effects of tobacco use, strengthening awareness about national anti-tobacco initiatives ( TFYC 3.0) and improving the understanding of tobacco-control laws.
During the first phase, Dr. Rai highlighted the severe health risks associated with tobacco consumption. She explained that chemicals such as nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide found in tobacco products are responsible for damaging the lungs, weakening the immune system, and increasing the risk of life-threatening illnesses, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, asthma, and COPD. She also warned about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, which can lead to oral cancer, gum disease, and other serious oral health issues.
Dr. Rai further stressed the harmful effects of “second-hand smoke, “ noting that many people begin using tobacco at an adolescent age without realizing how addictive it is.
In the second phase, students were sensitized about the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 (TFYC 3.0), a 60-day national initiative launched in October 2025 by the Ministries of Health and Education. The campaign focuses on reducing tobacco use amongst Youth,through strengthened law enforcement, promoting tobacco-free educational institutions, establishing “100-yard tobacco-free zones “around all schools and institutions, enhancing community involvement, and supporting youth-led anti-tobacco efforts.
The final phase covered key aspects of the COTPA 2003 legislation, where Dr. Rai explained the legal framework governing tobacco control and highlighted common violations and penalties. She emphasized the importance of compliance with other communities to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco exposure.
The awareness program witnessed active participation from students and teachers of Pachey Senior Secondary School, reinforcing the district’s commitment to creating a tobacco-free environment.
The Health and Family Welfare Department, Pakyong District, conducted an awareness session today at Pachey Senior Secondary School focusing on the “Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0” and the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003. The program was led by Dr. Digcha Shree Rai, Program Coordinator, National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP).
The session was organised in three phases, with the aim of educating students on the harmful effects of tobacco use, strengthening awareness about national anti-tobacco initiatives ( TFYC 3.0) and improving the understanding of tobacco-control laws.
During the first phase, Dr. Rai highlighted the severe health risks associated with tobacco consumption. She explained that chemicals such as nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide found in tobacco products are responsible for damaging the lungs, weakening the immune system, and increasing the risk of life-threatening illnesses, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, asthma, and COPD. She also warned about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, which can lead to oral cancer, gum disease, and other serious oral health issues.
Dr. Rai further stressed the harmful effects of “second-hand smoke, “ noting that many people begin using tobacco at an adolescent age without realizing how addictive it is.
In the second phase, students were sensitized about the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 (TFYC 3.0), a 60-day national initiative launched in October 2025 by the Ministries of Health and Education. The campaign focuses on reducing tobacco use amongst Youth,through strengthened law enforcement, promoting tobacco-free educational institutions, establishing “100-yard tobacco-free zones “around all schools and institutions, enhancing community involvement, and supporting youth-led anti-tobacco efforts.
The final phase covered key aspects of the COTPA 2003 legislation, where Dr. Rai explained the legal framework governing tobacco control and highlighted common violations and penalties. She emphasized the importance of compliance with other communities to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco exposure.
The awareness program witnessed active participation from students and teachers of Pachey Senior Secondary School, reinforcing the district’s commitment to creating a tobacco-free environment.
