The District Medical and Health Office (DMHO), South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, today conducted the National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) Mawkyrwat under the theme “Sarong ïa la ka jong ka shyntur” (Be proud of your mouth).
Dr. P M Nadon, District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), South West Khasi Hills District, stressed the need to always keep the mouth and teeth clean and healthy as is the gateway for food to enter the body.
Stating that a healthy mouth is the first sign of a healthy body, he said that the five golden rules of keeping the mouth clean are brushing the teeth twice daily, gargling the mouth after having food, avoiding sugary food items especially children, eating lots of greens, and to see the dentist after every six months.
Dr. Nadon further stressed the harmful effects of tobacco that affect not only the smokers but all passive smokers around as well and stated that Smoking not only causes cancer but many other diseases like stroke, etc.
He said that smoking in public places is also an offence and violation of Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA).
Dr. Nadon also informed that Section 6 of COTPA prohibits the selling of cigarettes to children below 18 years and selling of the same within 100 yards of any institutions and violators are liable to be penalised up to Rs 200 and punished as per the law.
Others present at the occasion are the District Medical and Health Officer, South West Khasi Hills District, Dr. First Born Richard Lartang.
Songs and dance performances by the Musical Socio & Cultural Organisation (MSCO), Mawlangwir, distribution of Colgate paste, toothbrushes and poster campaign at Mawkyrwat market to create awareness on the harmful effect of tobacco marked the day.
