National Tobacco Control Programme
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).
The main objective of the NTCP is to build the capacity of the States/Districts to facilitate effective implementation of the Tobacco Control Laws and to bring about greater awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. The main components of the proposed NTCP are :
a. National level:
(i) Public awareness/media campaigns for awareness building and for behavioural change.
(ii) Establishment of tobacco product testing laboratories, to build regulatory capacity, as required under COTPA, 2003.
(iii) Mainstreaming the programme components as a part of the health delivery mechanism under the NRHM framework.
(iv) Mainstreaming Research & training – on alternate crops and livelihoods with other nodal Ministries.
(v) Monitoring and Evaluation including surveillance e.g. Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS).
b. State level
(i) Dedicated tobacco control cells for effective implementation and monitoring of Anti Tobacco Initiatives.
c. District level:
(i) Training of health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers etc.
(ii) Local IEC activities.
(iii) Provision of tobacco cessation facilities
(iv) School Programme
Expenditure involved:
The total financial outlay for the National Tobacco Control programme in the XI Plan is Rs.182 crore.
Major impact :
The implementation of the NTCP will increase the awareness of the community about the harmful effects of the tobacco use, make the public aware of the provisions under COTPA, establish tobacco product testing labs and also provide baseline estimates of tobacco prevalence and status of implementation of the Tobacco Control Law.
States/Districts covered:
The components of the NTCP at the National level covers the entire country while the pilot phase will focus on 42 districts of 21 States.
Implementation Strategy and targets:
The NCTP will be implemented in the remaining years of the XI Plan in 42 Districts of 21 States within the NHRM framework from 2010-11. State Governments will work out State/Districts specific Plans , in their Programme Implementation Plans S(PIPs), depending on their priority. These would include training, sensitization workshop etc on awareness building and implementation of the law. The funds for tobacco product testing labs will be released in a phased manner, so that the labs are set up by 2010-11. The initial recurring expenditure for thee labs will be met up to three years. The Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS) will be completed in April 2010 and the evaluation of pilot phase of NTCP currently under implementation in 42 districts of 21 States will also be taken up in 2010-11.
Background:
Tobacco is the foremost preventable cause of death and disease in the world today. Globally approximately 5.4 million people die each year as a result of diseases resulting from tobacco consumption. More than 80% of these deaths occur in the developing countries. Tobacco is a risk factor for 6 of the 8 leading causes of death. Nearly 8-9 lakh people die every years in India due to diseases related to tobacco use. Nearly 30% of cancers in India are related to tobacco use. In the North East region 50% of cancers among men and 24% among women are related to tobacco use. The majority of the cardio vascular diseases and lung disorders are directly attributable to tobacco stroke, cataract, peripheral vascular diseases etc. As per available evidence, incidence of impotence is 85% higher among smokers. Tobacco use by pregnant women leads to low birth weight babies, still births and birth defects.
In order to reduce consumption of tobacco products in society, to protect the youth and children from tobacco use and to protect the health of non smokers from the harmful effects of second hand smoke etc. the Parliament enacted “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, (COTPA) in 2003. To facilitate the effect implementation of the Tobacco Control Laws and bring about greater awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and to fulfil the obligation(s) under the WHO-FCTC, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched this new National Tobacco Control Programme (NTC)P) in the XI Five Year Plan.
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SH/SKS
(Release ID :57407)