World No Tobacco Day 2026 campaign launched
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 11: While the state government rolls out another month-long awareness campaign, Meghalaya’s tobacco crisis has reached a terminal stage with nearly 50% of the population over 15 addicted and a staggering 8,000 lives being lost annually to the “business of death.”
The state now loses approximately 22 people every day to preventable tobacco-related diseases.
Speaking at the launch of the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2026 campaign on Monday, State Nodal Officer Dr Nabaneeta D Mawrie described the situation as a critical public health emergency.
“Tobacco is not just a habit; it is a trap carefully designed to addict our youth and communities,” Dr Mawrie said. “With nearly half of adults above 15 years in Meghalaya using tobacco, the urgency to act is extremely high.”
The 2026 campaign, themed “Tobacco! The Business of Death,” aims to unmask industry tactics and nicotine addiction. While an awareness drive has been active in schools and colleges since early April, the state’s mortality and addiction rates suggest a widening gap between government outreach and the reality on the ground.
Despite the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) programme reaching over 9,000 schools and six lakh students over the last four years, the addiction rate remains among the highest in the country.
Education department official Jennyfer J Synrem characterised the schools as “agents of change,” yet the data indicates that the “movement” has yet to significantly reduce the death toll.
South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Anendya Raajsshre stressed that awareness must be backed by sustained effort to be effective. “Real change will happen only when awareness transforms into action,” she said.
The campaign is scheduled to conclude on May 31, involving various government departments and civil society groups.
However, for a state where every second adult is a tobacco user, the challenge remains whether these initiatives can finally curb the state’s escalating health catastrophe.
