Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship in India and Indonesia: Present Regime and the Way Forward.

Suchiti Chandra,Arvind Rinkoo,Jagdish Kaur,Vinayak Prasad

doi:10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.s2.89

Abstract

One of the important factors contributing to tobacco epidemic is tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS). TAPS is employed by tobacco industry to increase demand for its products, often through targeting specific groups or market segments. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) recommends implementation of comprehensive bans on TAPS as part of an effective set of tobacco control policies. Article 13 of the WHO FCTC and its guidelines mandate a comprehensive ban on all TAPS. Besides, TAPS ban is one of the MPOWER strategy and is included in the 'Best Buys' for effective tobacco control. However, many countries, especially low-income and middle-income countries, primarily implement only partial TAPS bans, allowing the tobacco industry to directly or indirectly advertise and promote its products via multiple media. This review article analyzes the current state of affairs in respect of TAPS in India and Indonesia, the two of the largest countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region of the world, and discusses the way forward to address the identified gaps in TAPS ban policy formulation and implementation focusing on strengthening its compliance and enforcement at the country level.

Highlights

One of the important factors contributing to tobacco epidemic is tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS)
TAPS is employed by tobacco industry to increase demand for its products, often through targeting specific groups or market segments
This review article analyzes the current state of affairs in respect of TAPS in India and Indonesia, the two of the largest countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region of the world, and discusses the way forward to address the identified gaps in TAPS ban policy formulation and implementation focusing on strengthening its compliance and enforcement at the country level

Summary

Evidence suggests that different TAPS approaches

Suchiti Chandra et al influence tobacco consumption related attitudes and behaviors of targeted population segments These approaches include point-of-sale (PoS) advertising and promotion, sampling and value incentives, brand extension and brand sharing, packaging and product design features, product placement, sponsorship of sporting, cultural or even educational events and/or activities for individuals or groups (athletes or their teams/clubs, artists or their organizations, etc.) in exchange for publicity, and corporate social responsibility, to name a few. Populations worldwide, including adolescents and children, are vulnerable to exposure to TAPS from countries with insufficient and weak legislation (Septiono et al, 2021) This has further aggravated in light of emerging and new tobacco products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs) and nicotine patches, and their easy availability and aggressive marketing online (Kaur and Rinkoo, 2017; Polanska and Kalet, 2021).

Where we stand India

Findings

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