Cigarettes And Other Tobacco Products Act Research Articles

Compliance, enablers and barriers to implementation of the cigarette and other tobacco products act, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Section 6 of the cigarette and other tobacco products act (COTPA) of India, lays down provisions and offences against tobacco sale to minors and near educational institutions. Considering well-documented violations and the significance of its better implementation, this study was planned to assess the knowledge and attitudes and compliance regarding provisions of COTPA section 6 among stakeholders, and identify potential enablers and barriers to implementation of the act. A cross-sectional study was conducted in ten senior secondary schools, two each from 5 zones of Jodhpur district. Principal and staff were interviewed to assess their knowledge and awareness, while a checklist was used to observe the compliance in the vicinity of schools. In-depth interviews were conducted amongst stakeholders to identify enablers and barriers. Only nine (45%) participants were aware about COTPA and six (30%) knew whom to report any violation. 60% schools had international “no smoking” signage and vendors were observed near 50% of the schools. Sale to minors was observed at two such stalls. Observed barriers were related to law and act, implementing personnel and community. Sensitisation of health hazards, intersectoral collaborations with prompt reporting might enhance compliance towards the law.

An observational survey of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 Violation in Puducherry, South India

BackgroundOne of the commonly abused drug substances in both rural and urban communities of the developing countries is tobacco. The slow poison is still present even though anti-tobacco laws has been implemented to eliminate this threat. ObjectiveTo measure the violation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 under sections 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 & 10 in Puducherry. MethodologyAn observational cross-sectional survey was conducted over three months (June to August 2022) in 194 public places and 126 tobacco points-of-sale at Puducherry district. A multi-stage cluster sampling was employed. An observational checklist was used to record the violation of COTPA sections. The data were analyzed using SPSS-v16. ResultsSection 4 and 5 violations were 67% and 47% respectively, while other sections (7,8,9,10) were compliant with the law in >85% of the parameters observed exception being display of “Warning” in specified font and colour (10%). The COTPA compliance rate was quite low in the observed public places. “No smoking area” and “Smoking Here Is an Offense” signage was seldom displayed in most public places. ConclusionDespite the fact that the law has been carefully drafted, it has been implemented to a limited extent. For guaranteeing adherence and rigorous implementation of the act's provisions, the concerned authorities shall perform timely and routine compliance assessments.

A cross-sectional survey on violation of cigarettes and other tobacco products act around education institutions in Puducherry

Background: India is the second-largest tobacco consumer in the world and is responsible for around 1.3 million deaths every year. To achieve tobacco control amongst youth, it is essential that there should be strict enforcement of cigarettes and other tobacco products act (COTPA) in the vicinity of educational institutions. Objectives were to measure the violation of COTPA section 4 and 6 in Puducherry. Methods: An observational survey on COTPA violation was conducted over a period of three months in Puducherry among 300 educational institutions and tobacco point of sale (PoS). Two-stage sampling technique was used. Epicollectv5 incorporating the observational checklist was employed for data capturing and analysis was done with SPSSv24. The institute’s ethics committee approval was obtained. Results: 145 (48.3%) violated section 6b. Violation of section 6a was observed in the form of tobacco products sale by minors in 1 (0.7%) and tobacco products sale to minors in 58 (40%) amongst those 145 tobacco PoSs. Only 32 (10.7%) educational institutions complied to statutory display of “No smoking signage” board at the entrance of the educational institutions as per COTPA section 4. Active smoking was noticed within 100 meters radius in in nearly half of the institutions i.e., 133 (44.3%). Conclusions: This study showed that implementation of COTPA sections 4 and 6 in Puducherry to be deficient. It will need a concerted effort from all parties involved, including the police, educational institutions, and the local community to enforce strict implementation of the legislation for tobacco control.

Compliance Assessment of Tobacco Products to Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act in India with Reference to Third Amendment Rules, 2020.

Tobacco use is associated with mortality in low- and middle-income countries including India with dual burden of smoking and smokeless tobacco (SLT). Aligning with the FCTC, India has made substantial amendments in strengthening graphic warning under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) for sections 7,8 9 and "Specified warning". Compliance assessment studies are necessary to understand current status of implementation for packaging laws. This study aimed to assess the compliance of COTPA sections 7,8 9 and Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Third Amendment Rules, 2020 in Delhi. Cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts of Delhi selected by simple random sampling. Fifteen points of sales were selected from each district through purposive sampling and 57 smoking and smokeless tobacco products were collected with Indian and foreign origin. An observation checklist for product analysis was prepared and pack analysis done based on COTPA sections 7,8 and 9 along with Third Amendment,2020 which included pictures and warnings to be circulated in 2021. Total 57 samples has smoking (49.1%), smokeless (50.9%) with no SLT product of foreign origin. SLT and foreign products had low compliance of Section 7 and third amendment 2020 rules which includes manufacturing date and origin. Indian smoking products were highly compliant to section 8 and 9 whereas foreign and SLT products showed low compliance to section 8. COTPA Third Amendment Rules (2020) compliance was seen in Indian products with regards to SW (68.4%), PW (61.4%) and quit line (78.9%) with no compliance at all for foreign products. Foreign brands and SLT products had low compliance with sections 7 and 8 of COTPA and its amendments (2020). Compliance with illicit trade and SW needs regulation and strict implementation of law for SLT products.

Assessment of Knowledge Gap on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) among Tobacco Vendors in Puducherry: A Mixed-Method Study.

Tobacco usage has been identified as a leading preventable cause of mortality and is responsible for six million fatalities per year globally. India had enacted COTPA in 2003. Tobacco vendors are one of the key stakeholders for Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) implementation. To assess the knowledge gap on COTPA and to explore the perceived factors influencing implementation of COTPA among tobacco vendors in Puducherry. A mixed-method study was conducted among tobacco vendors from Point of Sale (PoS) around 230 educational institutions (schools and degree colleges) in Puducherry for three months. Simple random sampling was applied to select educational institutions and the tobacco vendors from PoS located around these institutions were included. Data capture was done using a pretested, face-validated questionnaire incorporated in Epicollect software 5 and data analysis by SPSSv24. Purposive sampling was employed to conduct in-depth interviews among tobacco vendors till the point of saturation and manual content analysis performed. Written informed consents were sought. Institutional Ethical Committee approval was obtained. Majority (95.7%) reported that they were aware of tobacco control legislation, but only one person had heard of COTPA. Awareness about the display of signage boards at PoS was observed in 75.7% vendors. Around 41.7% reported that they should not advertise any kind of tobacco products. Three major themes were identified: facilitators, barriers, and suggested measures for COTPA implementation. Tobacco vendors in Puducherry were aware of tobacco control legislations but not familiar with the COTPA and its provisions. It is necessary to put forth efforts to educate these important stakeholders to be more cognizant of COTPA and to effectively include them in anti-tobacco programs.

A Study among the Vendors Near Selected Educational Institutes in Chandigarh, India on Awareness of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act, 2003 (COTPA)

Introduction: Cigarettes are the only legal consumer products in the world that cause one-half of their long-term users to die prematurely. As this epidemic continues to take its toll in the United States, it is also increasing in low- and middle-income countries that are least able to afford the resulting health and economic consequences. Aim: To see the awareness of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 in selected Educational Institution in Chandigarh. Methodology: Chandigarh was the area chosen to study the to see the awareness of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 in Chandigarh. A Cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to May 2018 to study the awareness of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 in Chandigarh. A Self-structured questionnaire was used for collecting information on Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, (COTPA) 2003. Results: Our study revealed that selling of Tobacco products to Minor then 56% respondents out of total accepted that there is selling of Tobacco products to Minor but 44% did not accept so. 40% respondents out of total accepted that there is selling of Tobacco products by Minor but 60% did not accept so. 53% respondents hold the opinion that the current level of enforcement of pictorial health warning on Tobacco products can motivate people to quit tobacco use. 47% respondents opined that the current level of enforcement of pictorial health warning on Tobacco products cannot motivate people to quit tobacco use and according to the result majority of respondents believed that current level of enforcement of pictorial health warning on Tobacco products can motivate people to quit tobacco use Conclusion: It can be concluded that majority of respondents (70%) are aware about the Cigarettes and other Tobacco products Act, 2003 as they know that there is law regarding prohibition of use of Cigarette and Tobacco product but 30% respondents were not aware about the COTPA Act, (2003).

Enforcement of Section 5 of COTPA in a District in South India: Hits and Misses

The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) has been enacted in the year 2003 and came into force inthe following year. Section 5 of COTPA prohibits advertisement of cigarette and other tobacco products. Despitebeing in force for more than 15 years COTPA has not been enforced to its fullest extent.Objectives: The study’s goal was to assess the current level of compliance to Section 5 of COTPA in Kolar.Methodology: A sample size of 423 Points of Sale (PoS) shops was calculated based on 95% confidence level, byusing Open Epi software 3.01, a 50% anticipated compliance rate and a 5% error margin with a design effect of 1.1.Data analysis was done using SPSS Version22.Results: Among the 423 PoS surveyed very few were found displaying advertisements in the form of boards (6Nos,1.4%), Posters (6 Nos,1.4%), banners (2 Nos,0.5%), or stickers (2 Nos,0.5%). In fact, no shop was found to havedisplayed any dangle, LCD, product show case, illuminated boards, black lit or offering promotional gifts andinserts.Conclusion: The study revealed a fair amount of compliance to Section 5 of COTPA in Kolar. In fact the very absenceof any shop displaying dangles, LCDs, illuminated or black lit advertisement boards or offering promotional giftsand inserts were encouraging findings.

Compliance of Sections 4-7 of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 in India-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

In view of the vast variability of the compliance of Sections 4-7 of COTPA in India, a need for a collective evaluation appeared appropriate and timely. The aim of this review was to specifically analyze the country wide compliance of Section 4,5,6a and 6b,7 of COTPA along with the displays of signage on No Smoking (NoSmok) and Tobacco Free Institution (TFI). Studies published between 2003-December 2020 reporting compliance/non compliance (C/NC) were reviewed. Eligible study designs were observational studies and brief reports. To obtain the effect measure, Med Calc version 20 was used. 60 full text articles were assessed for eligibility and included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The compliance for the Sections 4,5, 6b and 7 was 71.97% (95%CI:61.87-81.05, I2 =99.70%), 58.95% (95%CI:44.90-72.28, I2=99.53%), 51.08% (95% CI:39.30-62.81, I2=99.46%), 57.60% (95%CI:37.58-76.40, I2=99.48%) respectively whereas for the NoSmok and TFI board display it was 42.30% (95%CI:32.53-52.39, I2=99.75%) and 26.81% (95%CI:9.94-48.25, I2=99.51) respectively. Compliance of the Section 6a, sale of tobacco products to and by the minors was 66.39% (CI:49.50-81.36, I2=99.69%) and 94.11% (95%CI:78.54-99.99, I2=99.76%) respectively. This study observed a significant variability in compliance of Sections 4-7 of COTPA. It points to a critical need for a robust, self - sustained and effective enforcement mechanism countrywide to eliminate potential for any NC. Amendments to the COTPA appear critical for a policy reform and an optimal implementation.

Comparative assessment of implementation of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act in three States of India: A pre-post study.

The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) limits the sale of tobacco products, promotion and advertising and packaging of tobacco products in India. Periodic monitoring of the level of compliance with all sections of COTPA is obligatory to assess the effectiveness of the act. This pre-post study aimed to assess the change in the level of compliance with different sections of COTPA in selected States. A total of 3849 and 2176 samples were assessed during the study in November 2020 and October 2021, respectively; using the EpiData Software. Average compliance with section 4 of COTPA was highest in Puducherry during baseline [51.88%, prevalence ratio (PR)=0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51-1.02] and in Telangana during endline assessment (66.1%, PR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.48-0.74). A visible change with section 5 of COTPA was observed in Telangana (40.08 to 93.12%, PR=0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.07). Compliance with section 6a of COTPA decreased in Puducherry (81.34 to 71.83%, PR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.14-2.95) and increased for Meghalaya and Telangana. The average compliance with sections 7, 8 and 9 (for Puducherry 51.09 vs . 48.8%, Meghalaya 54.94 vs . 46.18% and Telangana 73 vs . 51.91%, respectively) decreased in all States. An increase in average compliance was observed with sections 4 and 5 ( P =0.19 and 0.11, respectively) and a decrease with sections 7, 8 and 9 ( P =0.02) of COTPA in all three States. For sections 6a ( P =0.06) and 6b ( P =0.01), a mixed response was noted. The findings of this study suggest that the level of compliance with sections 4 and 5 of COTPA increased because they are strictly monitored compared to sections 7-9, which are less enforced by the States. There is a need to monitor sections 7-9 (pack warning) to fulfill the objectives related to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Assessment of Implementation and Awareness of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act in High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools of Kasaragod District, Kerala

Background: Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of mortality globally, accounting for 8 million premature deaths each year. Even after a decade of enactment of tobacco control laws in India, their acceptance and successful implementation remain challenging. This study was envisaged to assess the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in schools and the awareness levels of tobacco control laws among heads, teachers, and students of the schools in Kasaragod district. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the awareness of selected provisions of the COTPA (Sections 4, 5, 6a, 6b, 21, and 25) among the heads of the institutions of 40 randomly selected high schools and higher secondary schools. Similarly, awareness of the COTPA provisions was assessed among teachers (n = 328) and students (n = 402) using self-administered questionnaires. In addition, schools were surveyed for inspecting the implementation level of selected provisions of the COTPA using an observational checklist. Results: The overall implementation of the COTPA was observed to be 35.5%. The overall self-reported awareness of the COTPA was 13.6%, 25.8%, and 13.1%, among the head of the institutions, teachers, and students, respectively. Government school students had better awareness than that in private schools (42.7% vs 25.2%), although violations of provisions are higher in government schools (OR = 6.0, 95% CI [1.11 to 32.28]). Conclusion: The overall implementation and awareness of the COTPA provisions was low in the schools of Kasaragod district. The implementation will improve if regular inspection of the schools is done. Increasing the frequency of comprehensive structured training programs for the head of the institution, teachers, and students, and coordinated efforts by stakeholders will help in better implementation of the COTPA.

Compliance with Section 7 (2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, Ban of Sale of Loose Tobacco, in Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Banning smoking in public places has considerably reduced the number of smokers. However, the sale of loose tobacco encourages tobacco use. There is limited data on compliance with section 7(2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, concerning the ban on loose tobacco sales in India. The aim of this study is to assess the compliance of section 7(2) of COTPA concerning the ban on loose tobacco sales in four selected cities of Karnataka. This community-based study used a cross-sectional design. Two neighboring cities, that is, district headquarter from North (Bidar and Vijayapura) and South (Mandya and Chikkamagaluru) Karnataka were considered for the study. A total of 207 vendors and 204 smokers were selected using time-cluster sampling. Data was collected using observation and interview methods. Semi-structured interview schedules were administered to smokers and vendors. Percentages and frequencies were used to describe the data. Most tobacco vendors (92%) and smokers (91%) were unaware of the loose tobacco ban. Most smokers (76%) perceive that buying cigarettes in packets would increase smoking. Most smokers (96%) prefer to buy cigarettes in loose. The sale of loose tobacco was widely prevalent (94%) in the four surveyed cities. Point of sale of loose tobacco includes tea shops (38%), petty shops (31%), pan shops (25%), and bakeries (6%). There is a high degree of noncompliance with Section 7 (2) of COTPA, 2003 regarding ban on selling loose tobacco.

Compliance with COTPA (Packaging and Labeling) Rules, 2008 and its amendments in smokeless tobacco products sold across Mangaluru taluk, Karnataka, India.

India introduced the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) (Packaging and Labeling [P and L]) Rules in 2008. These rules utilize the tobacco package to communicate tobacco-caused harms; it also seeks to restrict the delivery of misleading information about the product on the pack. The enormous burden of tobacco-related oral cancers in India necessitates the compliance with the law regarding presentation of information in powerful and salient ways, intentionally designed to increase the awareness in target individuals. The objectives of the study are to assess the compliance to implementation and enforcement of the COTPA (P and L) Rules, 2008 and its amendments in 2014 and 2018. Chewing tobacco products were retrieved and evaluated for compliance with the law. The specified pictorial and textual health warnings, area, clarity, rotation, and language were assessed as per the recommendations. Even though chewing tobacco products in India have introduced pictorial and textual health warnings, majority of them do not comply with the law. The products displayed the specified health warnings on a total of 70.6% on average, failing to abide by the government-specified average of 85%. 50% of the products did not follow the rotation of pictorial and textual health warning even after completion of the interregnum period of 12 months (September 2019). To ensure consumers' right to be informed about the health risks from a product, all the details regarding the contents, health warnings and messages, and product care instructions must be mentioned as specified under the law.

Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior Regarding the Hazards of Tobacco Use and Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act among Parents Visiting Pediatric Dental Clinic: A Cross-sectional Questionnaire Survey.

Aim“Today's adolescents are tomorrow's citizens.” Tobacco use in children and adolescents is reaching pandemic levels as they are the most vulnerable population to initiate tobacco use. It is well established that most of the adult users of tobacco, start the use of tobacco either in their childhood or adolescence. Parents are the best route to reach a child and can help lead to bring better outcomes for children. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding the hazards of tobacco use and Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) among the parents visiting pediatric dental clinic.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding the hazards of tobacco use and COTPA law. Samples size of 400 parents of adolescents aged between 10 and 16 years visiting to the department of Pediatrics and Preventive Dentistry were included in the study, data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis.ResultsSmoking tobacco product known to the parent population in the present study is cigarette (88.8%) and smokeless tobacco product is pan masala (65.2%). The tobacco health hazard known is cancer by 70.5 and 85.3% parent populations were aware of mandatory display of pictorial health warnings in COTPA law. Strict implementation of COTPA law was opted by 61.8%.ConclusionKnowledge, attitude, and behavior of parents is required to educate and motivate adolescents. Parents have given their positive attitude regarding the strict implementation of COTPA law in India and realize the role of tobacco as a causative factor for health hazards both in children and adults. COTPA law should be made aware for both young and old to educate and motivate and to prevent the use of tobacco in India.How to cite this articleKattimani S, Thimmegowda U, Nagarathna C. Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior Regarding the Hazards of Tobacco Use and Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act among Parents Visiting Pediatric Dental Clinic: A Cross-sectional Questionnaire Survey. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(1):47-53.

Association of mass media exposure with combustible and smokeless tobacco use among Indian population: findings from a panel survey

BackgroundDespite introducing different policies and initiatives, India is recognized as one of the global players in the tobacco epidemic race. Our study explores the association between tobacco consumption and mass media exposure among the Indian population, considering the contextual factors affecting the clustering at the community and state levels.MethodsUsing two waves of the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) conducted in 2005 and 2012 for 16,661 individuals, the present study explores the association of mass media exposure and tobacco consumption in the short-term and the long-term period of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) implementation, which came into existence in 2004. Bivariate analysis using the chi-square test for association showed the correlation of tobacco consumption with its respective predictors. Multivariable analysis using three-level random intercept logit models showed the adjusted association between tobacco consumption and its relevant covariates and the extent of clustering of tobacco consumption behaviour of persons in the communities and states.ResultsWe found that watching television (TV) [(OR:1.03; CI:0.92–1.15) in 2004–05 and (OR:0.99; CI:0.88–1.12) in 2011–12], listening radio [(OR: 0.99; CI:0.90–1.10) in 2004–05 and (OR:1.04; CI:0.94–1.15) in 2011–12] and reading newspaper [(OR:1.02; CI:0.91–1.15) in 2004–05 and (OR:0.96; CI:0.87–1.06) in 2011–12] did not have any significant effect on consumption of combustible tobacco. Similarly, no effect of mass media was found on smokeless tobacco consumption. Further, the clustering of combustible and smokeless tobacco usage was higher at the community level than at the state level. In both rounds, smokeless tobacco consumption was found to be higher than combustible tobacco.DiscussionThe present study provides evidence that COTPA has achieved its aim of nullifying the significant effect of mass media on combustible and smokeless tobacco consumption among the Indian population. However, the influence of state- and community- level clustering had failed in curbing the increment of smokeless tobacco consumption. There is a need for policy reforms to curb the significant impact of factors that promotes smokeless tobacco consumption in India. Further, initiatives must focus on specific communities from high-risk states, reducing the time and cost required for implementation.

Cognizance towards implementation and adherence of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) directives - A descriptive cross-sectional study among security guards in Goa.

ABSTRACTObjective:The use of tobacco has proven to be one of the leading cause of preventable premature deaths and diseases across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that tobacco consumption alone kills more people annually as compared to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), alcohol, and other addictions (drugs, etc.) put together. Although the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) is a powerful Indian national law to curb the tobacco epidemic, the effectiveness of its implementation remains disputed. The current study aims to examine the role of the security guards in the implementation of the COTPA by assessing their awarenessMethod:A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 258 security guards in Goa to ascertain the knowledge regarding the tobacco legislation in the country. A self-administered 20-item close-ended questionnaire was used to collect information regarding the demographic variables, tobacco use, and knowledge regarding COTPA. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0Results:The mean age of the study participants was 29.93 ± 6.93 years. Overall, 68.6% of the study participants were aware of any tobacco control law in India. It was observed that 71% of the subjects had adequate knowledge of the COTPA. The participants with higher secondary educational levels had significantly higher knowledge scoresConclusion:The overall awareness of the security guard was good but there is a need to provide in-depth knowledge on certain key aspects of the COTPA. Efforts should be made to train the security personnel to increase their awareness of the act.

Feasibility of the novel ‘Tobacco-Free Hospital’ model and its compliance assessment at a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi, India

Tobacco is one of the biggest threats to the public health. Tobacco harms not only human health but also the environment. The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) was implemented in India in 2003. Compliance of these laws in public places is mandatory. This study presents an innovative model to make hospitals tobacco-free. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of implementation of tobacco-free hospitals among security guards, tobacco users, and key observers visiting a tertiary care dental hospital through a comprehensive strategy. An exploratory study was conducted in three phases. Structured training was organized for all security guards (n = 25) along with pre- and post-assessment using a validated questionnaire. All the patients and attendants entering the hospital were screened for tobacco products by security guards. Those patients who were carrying tobacco products to the hospital (n = 107) were interviewed using a validated questionnaire. Opinions of key observers (n = 223) who witnessed the event were also recorded. Descriptive statistics (means, frequency distribution) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were calculated. At the baseline, only 20% security guards were aware about tobacco legislations, whereas after 1 month, more than 80% security guards were aware about the laws. Around two-third of study participants of both the groups were aware of COTPA Section 4. Approximately 33.6% of tobacco users and 58.4% of key observers were aware of COTPA Section 6b. Forty tobacco users in the study availed tobacco cessation services of the hospital. Every staff should be a torch bearer of tobacco control. The study highlights a comprehensive approach of integrating hospital staff and linking vital cessation services by implementing Sections of COTPA.

Compliance monitoring of cigarettes and other tobacco products act (COTPA) and its awareness among person responsible for compliance in Srinagar government hospitals

Background: The unsolicited tobacco exposure among non-smokers has led to an increase in burden of tobacco related diseases. The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act 2003 Section 4, 6 aims to reduce exposure to SHS. Tobacco-free hospital campus reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Awareness and compliance to COTPA are key to achieving its intended outcome. With this background, the present work was designed to assess the compliance and awareness among persons responsible for compliance (PRC) of Section-4 and 6 of COTPA in hospitals of Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: An observational cross – sectional study was conducted within Government hospitals. A total of 10 hospitals were selected using convenient sampling. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s observational and interview checklist was used to for data collection. These places were observed for certain parameters of assessment by a structured checklist, which included evidence of active smoking, evidence of recent smoking, display of signages, presence of smoking aids, cigarette butts and bidi ends. Results: The signs of active smoking were observed more in residential areas (66.7%). No smoking signages” board was displayed in 86% of the hospitals but compliance to content was found only 30%. Tobacco vendors were present in 80% in places around hospital buildings. 90% of persons responsible for compliance were aware of the existence of the COTPA law in public places. However, only (30%) knew that the provisions included a penalty for those who violated the provisions of the law. Conclusions: Low compliance, coupled with the lack of appropriate awareness among PRCs about COTPA, demands a comprehensive strategy to enhance awareness and strict enforcement of the law.

"Nico-teen free': A study on the compliance of cigarettes and other tobacco products Act (COTPA) section 6(b)

"Nico-teen free': A study on the compliance of cigarettes and other tobacco products Act (COTPA) section 6(b)

Indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships in the Indian Premier League 2020: Tobacco Industry's continuous presence in Indian cricket

BackgroundIndian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament - a shorter version of the sport which is played between assorted company-owned or individual owner teams - has grown immensely popular over the last decade. There is long history of tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) in cricket. While direct and indirect TAPS is completely prohibited under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 the nexus between tobacco industry and cricket in India continues. We monitored any tobacco product and allied brand or surrogate advertisement, promotion, sponsorship (TAPS) or placement during every match played in the IPL-13 season in the year 2020. MethodsUsing an investigative approach, 60 match highlights during IPL-13 (during September 19 to November 10, 2020) were monitored for TAPS (both on-site i.e. sportswear and/or in stadia) shown on the official website (www.iplt20.com). All sponsors and advertisers were validated using brand names or logos from their respective official website. ResultsTwo IPL teams (Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore) were sponsored by major tobacco industry owned brands. Violations by a major smokeless tobacco company promoting their brand extension product i.e. Vimal Elaichi, on the official telecast websites (www.espncricinfo.com and www.cricbuzz.com) and television channels (www.Zeenews.india.com/Gujarati) was observed. Tobacco companies i.e. Kamla Pasand and ITC Limited were also listed as associate sponsors for the 2020 championship. ConclusionDespite comprehensive ban under India's tobacco control law (COTPA, 2003), sponsorship by tobacco industry was found widespread in IPL-13. Advertisement and logos of tobacco companies are persistent during the telecast and promotion of the IPL events, in clear violation of India's tobacco control legislation and Article 13 of WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) and its guidelines. Given that India and South Asia comprise the largest audience for televised cricket, strong exclusion criteria is needed by the international cricket authority and national cricket associations to ensure compliance with the national law and global good practice, making the cricketing world truly tobacco free.

Chennai tobacco vendors compliance to India's cigarette and other tobacco products Act (COTPA) 2003- A descriptive evaluation.

Chennai tobacco vendors compliance to India's cigarette and other tobacco products Act (COTPA) 2003- A descriptive evaluation.