Lok Sabha Question No. 1128 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-21
Subject: Ban on Tobacco Products
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DHARAMBIR BHALERAM, RAJESH VERMA, R. PARTHIPAN, SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA, K. MARAGATHAM, ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1128 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST JULY, 2017

## BAN ON TOBACCO PRODU CTS

## 1128. SHRI DHARAMBIR:

SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA:

SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether smoking and consumption of gutka is rising amongst the youth in the country which is leading to a rise in cases of diseases caused by these vices each year;
- (b)  if  so,  the  measures  being undertaken  by  the  Government  to  raise awar ness  amongst  the youth and discourage smoking and consumption of gutka and other tobacco products; and
- (c) the details of schemes/ programmes and funds allocated to check the same?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a): As  per  the  key  findings/highlights  of  'Global  Adult  Tobacco  Survey  (GATS - 2)  India 20162017', conducted for persons aged 15 years and above, the prevalence of current tobacco smokers has decreased from 14.0% in GATS - 1 (Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India 2009 - 2010) to 10.7% in GATS - 2. Further, the prevalence of tobacco use among the young population aged 15- 24  has  reduced  from  18.4%  in  GATS - 1  to  12.4%  in  GATS - 2,  which  is  a  33%  relative reduction.

There is ban on manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of food products cont tobacco or nicotine, such as Gutkha, vide the Fo od Safety Regulations issued in 2011 under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.

- (b): To  sustain  the  momentum  of  decline  in  consumption  of  tobacco  products,  th stakeholders are being made aware on a regular basis about the adverse effects of tobacco usage on health through various anti - tobacco campaigns vide different mode of communication.

Government of India has notified rules to regulate films and TV programmes depict scenes of tobacco usage to spread awareness. Such films and TV programmes are statutorily required to run anti - tobacco health spots, disclaimers and static health warnings.

Further, to spread awareness on adverse impact of consumption of tobacco products, size  of  specified  health  warnings  on  packages  of  tobacco  and  tobacco  pr oducts  has  been increased to 85% w.e.f. 1 st April, 2016.

The  Ministry  has  started  National  Toll - free  Helpline  in  2008,  with  a  primary  aim  to report  violations  under  various  provisions  of  the  Cigarettes  and  Other  Tobacco  Pro (Prohibition of Advertisem ent and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution)  Act,  2003  (COTPA  2003).  In  addition,  this  Helpline  provides  information harmful  effects  of  consumption  of  tobacco,  and  on  how  to  quit  tobacco  use,  including -effects of quitting tobacco.

The  Ministry  has  also  started  National  Tobacco  Quitline  to  provide  tobacco  cessa services to the community and has launched a pan -India 'mCessation' initiative to reach out to tobacco  users  who  are  willing  to  quit  tobacco  use  and  to support  them  towards  successful quitting through text - messaging via mobile phones.

(c): The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 2007 -08  with the aim to (i) create awaren ss  bout the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, (ii) reduce the production and supply of t products,  (iii)  ensure  effective  implementation  of  the  provisions  under  'Cigarettes  and  Other Tobacco  Products  (Prohibition  of  Advertisement  and  Regulati on  of  Trade  and  Commerce, Production,  Supply  and  Distribution)  Act,  2003'  (COTPA,  2003)  (iv)  help  the  people  quit tobacco use, and (v) facilitate implementation of strategies for prevention and control o advocated by WHO Framework Convention of To bacco Control.

The funds allocated under NTCP for 2014 - 15, 2015 - 16 & 2016 - 17 are Rs. 80.68 crore, Rs. 101.30 crore & Rs. 134.80 crore, respectively.