More than 20 per cent Mizo smokers have kicked out the habit in the past one decade, raising hopes that Mizoram will shake off the ignominy of being the topper among states in tobacco consumption.

A survey conducted by the Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society has revealed that more and more smokers are of late wanting to kick the butt.

Jane Ralte, programme officer of MSTC, told PTI that the survey, conducted among 2,500 people above 18 years of age in the eight districts of Mizoram, found that as much as 73.1 per cent of the smokers wanted to quit smoking.

The survey reveals that while 55 per cent still smoked, 45 per cent are non-smokers or who had quit the habit.

As many as 50.8 per cent of the smokers said they did not find any enjoyment in smoking, while 37.5 per cent still do and 84.2 per cent admitted that their expenditure on cigarettes was a financial burden.

At least 10.6 per cent said no to it and 5.2 per cent could not give an answer.

The survey also revealed that a whopping 89.60 per cent agreed that smoking was harmful for health, but 6.80 per cent did not think so and 3.60 per cent did not offer opinion.

In all 85.3 per cent are also aware that passive smoking is equally harmful to others, while as many as 10.3 per cent of them did not believe in it.

Even as the state government prepares to enforce the Control of Tobacco Products Act more stringently, 80.3 per cent of the people are aware of the act while 19.7 not.

However, only 18.9 per cent of those interviewed were aware that the COPTA has been in force in Mizoram but among those who were aware of the existence of the act did not realise that it has already been introduced in the state.

"This clearly shows the need for strict enforcement of the act," said Ralte adding that a mass awareness campaign is the need of the hour.

With funding from US-based Bloomberg Initiatives, the Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society, has embarked upon the mission of making Mizoram a smoker-free state.

"As of now, we have many miles to go to achieve our mission. But, the development so far is positive,?? said Lal Riliani, president of Indian Society for Tobacco and Health (Mizoram Chapter) and wife of the state chief minister Lal Thanhawla says.

Another survey conducted by the National Family Health Survey has found that about 77 per cent of the population use tobacco in one form or the other.

Although women in Mizoram are literate enough to understand the ill effects of tobacco, a staggering 60 per cent of them consume it in various forms making them the most cancer-prone in the country.

While the national average of women smokers is 2.5 per cent, more than 22 per cent Mizo women smoked tobacco.