How Compliant are Tobacco Vendors to India's Tobacco Control Legislation on Ban of Advertisments at Point of Sale? A Three Jurisdictions Review

Sonu Goel,Anant Christian,J.P Tripathi,Ravinder Kumar,Arul Rathinam,Rana J Singh,Pranay Lal

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.24.10637

Abstract

Section 5 of India's tobacco control legislation "Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003"comprehensively prohibits all kinds of tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), but permits advertisments at the point-of-sale (POS) under certain conditions. This provision has been exploited by the tobacco companies to promote their products. To measure compliance with the provisions of Section 5 of Indian tobacco control legislation (COTPA, 2003) at point of sale. A cross-sectional survey using an observation checklist was conducted in 1860 POS across three jurisdictions (Chennai city, District Vadodara and District Mohali) in India. The most common mode of advertisement of tobacco products was product showcasing (51.1%), followed by dangles (49.6%), stickers (33.8%) and boards (27.1%). More than one fourth of POS were found violating legal provisions for displaying advertisement boards in one or other forms (oversized, extended to full body lenth of POS, displayed brandname/ packshot and promotional messages). Advertisement boards (16.3%) without health warnings were also found and wherever found, more than 90% health warning were not as per the specification in respect to size, font and background color. Point of sale advertising is aggressively used by the tobacco industry to promote their products. There is an urgent need of effective implementation of a comprehensive ban on tobacco product advertisement, promotion and sponsorship at point of sale.

Highlights

IntroductionIt ravages communities and countries, wreaking havoc in populations that are most vulnerable causing massive disability, disease, loss of productivity and death
Section 5 of India’s tobacco control legislation “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003”comprehensively prohibits all kinds of tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), but permits advertisments at the point-of-sale (POS) under certain conditions
Point of sale advertising is aggressively used by the tobacco industry to promote their products

Summary

Introduction

It ravages communities and countries, wreaking havoc in populations that are most vulnerable causing massive disability, disease, loss of productivity and death. This makes tobacco use the single most preventable cause of premature adult death globally (WHO, 2008). This provision has been exploited by the tobacco companies to promote their products. There is an urgent need of effective implementation of a comprehensive ban on tobacco product advertisement, promotion and sponsorship at point of sale

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Conclusion