(a) whether the Government isimplementing the National TobaccoControl
Programme (NTCP) across thecountry;
(b) if so, the present status ofimplementation of NTCP in the country,
State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government has doneany monitoring and evaluation/assessment
of the above programme at the nationallevel;
(d) if so, the details alongwith theoutcome thereof; and
(e) the details of the shortcomingsnoticed and measures taken/proposed to
plug the loopholes in implementation ofNTCP?
THE MINISTER HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) has been launched
in 42 Districts of 21 States to implement various provisions under anti-tobacco
law (COTPA 2003) and to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco
consumption. The list of districts covered under the programme is annexed. The
programme broadly envisages-
I. Mass media/Public awareness campaigns aimed at behavioral change.
II. Establishment of tobacco product testing laboratories, to build
regulatory capacity, as required under anti-tobacco law (COTPA, 2003).
III. Research & Training – on alternate crops and livelihoods, in
co-ordination with other nodal Ministries.
IV. Monitoring and Evaluation including surveillance e.g. Adult
Tobacco Survey.
V. Dedicated tobacco control cells in the states and districts for
effective implementation and monitoring of Anti Tobacco Initiatives.
VI. Training of health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers etc.
VII. Setting up tobacco cessation centres
(c) to (e): A review meeting of the State/ District Nodal Officers was
held in January 2012 to monitor the progress of NTCP.
The major challenges faced in the programme are as follows:
(i) There are multiple litigations challenging the provisions of the
anti-tobacco law and rules notified there-under.
(ii) In order to implement various provisions under anti-tobacco law,
a state level enforcement mechanism needs to be put in place, which includes
opening separate head of account, printing of challan books and constituting
a raiding mechanism etc. Some of the states have been slow on this front.
(iii) In some of the states and districts, the manpower under the programme
has not been recruited by the concerned states for various reasons, including
low remuneration under the programme.
(iv) A major challenge in the implementation of COTPA comes from the tobacco
farmers and bidi rollers. There is a need to work out effective strategies to
provide alternative viable livelihood options to these farmers and bidi rollers
through the programmes of Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture,
Ministry of Labour etc.
(v) The pilot phase of the progammehas been launched only in 2 districts
each in 21 states, and, therefore, does not receive the desired priority and
support at the state levelin some cases.
(vi) The state focal point officers under the programme are entrusted with
other programmes also and are not able to devote enough time. There is a need
to integrate components of the programme with the National Programme on NCD,
since tobacco is one of the main risk factors for NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases).
(vii) The components of the programme at district level including cessation
services have not been implemented or only partly implemented in many states.
(viii) The utilization of budget and submission of utilization certificates
under the programme is not satisfactory in many states.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken and is contemplating following
steps to address the challenges under the programme:
# The Ministry is in touch with Ministry of Law and its legal counsels
to settle the litigations.
# Regular review workshops have been organized for the state nodal
officers to sort out the impediments and bottle necks faced in the
implementation of NTCP.
# Regional level trainings are planned for capacity building in the
states and districts.
# Communications have been addressed to the state Officials (Chief
Secretary/ Health Secretary/ Transport Commissioner/ Director General of
Police/ Finance Secretary/ Secretary, Panchayati Raj) to implement various
provisions under COTPA, monitor the same through monthly crime review
meetings and for raising of taxes on tobacco and tobacco products.
# Guidelines on implementation of anti-tobacco law have been developed
to facilitate the states in implementing the various provisions.
# Communications have been sent to different Ministries like Ministry
of Agriculture and Ministry of Rural Development to workout special programmes
for tobacco growers/workers under their ongoing schemes.
# Ministry proposes to expand the coverage of NTCP to all the districts
of India in a phased manner during the 12th 5-year Plan, with better manpower,
legal and infrastructural support, and online monitoring.
# Ministry is proposing to integrate components of the programme with
the National Programme of NCD with a dedicated focal point officer at the
state and district level.
# Ministry proposes to strengthen the toll free helpline for on-line
reporting and dissemination of information relating to violations of the
anti-tobacco law.
# Ministry is contemplating setting up a quit helpline at the national
level for tobacco users.