(a) whether a rise in the number of cases of mouth and other type of cancer, particularly among women and
children due to smoking and consumption of tobacco products has been noticed in recent years in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard;
(d) whether the Government has launched/proposed any awareness campaign to check
the smoking and consumption of tobacco products among women and children; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI S. GANDHI SELVAN)
(a) to (c) No.
(d) to (e) Government of India has enacted “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition
of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act,
2003†(COTPA) to protect its citizens, with special attention to risk groups such as pregnant women
and children, from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke, and to discourage consumption of cigarettes
and other tobacco products by imposing various regulatory measures.
A comprehensive national level mass media awareness campaign has been undertaken through electronic (radio
and television) and print media to create awareness about adverse health effects of consumption of tobacco
products and to sensitise the public regarding various provisions of “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco
Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and
Distribution) Act (COTPA) 2003.
Public notices have been published in major newspapers of the country to sensitise the public especially
the youth and women for behaviour change.
District tobacco control cells in 42 districts are also engaged in promotion of awareness activities under
the National Tobacco Control Programme.
Advocacy workshops on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on 31st May on the theme ‘Women and Tobacco’ have
been organised to sensitise the public about adverse health impact of consumption of tobacco products amongst
women and children.