Lok Sabha Question No. 3149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Comprehensive Tobacco Control Policy
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Navneet Ravi Rana

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3149 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2021

## COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO CONTROL POLICY

## 3149 : SHRIMATI NAVNEET RAVI RANA :

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  ban  on  smoking  introduced  in  various countries like Iceland, Bhutan have consequently resulted in decline in smoking; (b)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  bring  a  comprehensive  tobacco  control policy after having thorough inter-ministerial consultations and ascertaining views of other stake holders; and (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a):    As  per  the  WHO  report  on  the  Global  Tobacco  Epidemic  published  from  time  to time from 2009 to 2021, the STEPS Survey (2014) conducted in the age group of 18-69 years reflects that the adult tobacco use prevalence in Bhutan is 24.8% (men - 33.6%, women - 13.6%).   As  per  the  Global  Youth  Tobacco  Survey  conducted  among  13-15 years old the prevalence of tobacco use in Bhutan has reduced from 30.3 % in the year 2013 to 22.2 % in the year 2019. Exposure to SHS in enclosed public places has reduced from 42.8 % in the year 2013 to 36.6 % 2019.  Further, as per the WHO report on the Global  Tobacco  Epidemic, the  adult  daily  smoking  prevalence  rates  in Iceland have fallen from 20% (2006) to 10% (2019).

(b)  &  (c):      A  comprehensive  legislation,  namely  the  Cigarettes  and  Other  Tobacco Products  (Prohibition  of  Advertisement  and  Regulation  of  Trade  and  Commerce,

Production,  Supply  and  Distribution)  Act,  2003  (COTPA  2003)  to  regulate  the  use  of tobacco products has been enacted to discourage the use of tobacco, with emphasis on protection of children and young people from being addicted to the use of tobacco, with a view to achieve improvement of public health in general as enshrined in Article 47 of the Constitution.. The provisions under COTPA, 2003 and the Rules made thereunder mandate prohibition of smoking in public places; ban on sale of tobacco products to and by  minors,  sale  of  tobacco  products  within  a  radius  of  100  yards  of  educational institutions;  prohibition  on  direct  and  indirect  advertising  of  tobacco  products  and mandatory display of specified health warnings. To further accelerate the efforts towards tobacco control, Government launched National  Tobacco  Control  Programme  (NTCP)  in  2007-  08  with  the  aim  to  (i)  create awareness  about  the  harmful  effects  of  tobacco  consumption,  (ii)  ensure  effective implementation  of  the  provisions  under  COTPA,  2003  (iii)Set  up  tobacco  cessation centres to help people quit tobacco use, and (iv) facilitate implementation of strategies for  prevention  and  control  of  tobacco  advocated  by  WHO  Framework  Convention  of Tobacco Control. NTCP is being implemented across the country covering 685 districts. The States/UTs undertake drives for enforcement of COTPA 2003, from time to time. Enforcement efforts are also monitored by the State Tobacco Control Cells (STCCs) and District Tobacco Control Cells (DTCCs). The National Health Policy 2017 already comprehensively includes the aspect of Tobacco  Control  and  sets  out  the  target  for  achieving  30%  relative  reduction  in prevalence of tobacco use by the year 2025 from the levels in 2009-10.

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