Lok Sabha Question No. 4842 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Regulation to Control Tobacco Consumption
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas, V. Kalanidhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4842 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  MARCH 2023

## REGULATION TO CONTROL TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

## 4842   SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS: DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  a  regulation  to  reduce  the  consumption  of tobacco particularly among the youth;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it will come into force;
- (c)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the  problem  of  tobacco consumption among minors in the country;
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to introduce the changes in the COTPA, 2003 in order to strengthen the tobacco control policy in the country;
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the current status of COTPA Amendment Bill, 2020; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to remove the provision of allowing designated smoking areas under the COTPA, 2003, as is being followed in many countries for tobacco control and also exists in the draft COTPA Amendment Bill to reduce second hand smoking and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (f):    The draft Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Amendment) Bill, 2020, was hosted in public domain for pre-legislative consultation.

Various steps have been taken by the Government to protect young children against the harmful effects of tobacco products. As per Section 6 (a) of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003) read with Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply  and  Distribution)  Amendment  Rules,  2011,  there  is  prohibition  on  sale  of  tobacco products to and by persons below the age of 18 years and as per Section 6 (b) of COTPA, 2003, there is prohibition on sale of tobacco products in an area within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also issued the 'Guidelines for Tobacco Free Educational Institution (Revised)' for effective implementation of Section-6 of COTPA, 2003. States are taking effective measures with Education departments for implementation of these Guidelines. Regular and sustained awareness is carried out about the adverse effects of tobacco  usage  on  health  through  various  anti-tobacco  campaigns.  Public  Health  is  a  State subject  and  the  primary  responsibility  for  enforcement  of  the  Act,  lies  with  the  State Governments for effective implementation of the provisions of COTPA, 2003.

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