Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether smoking and consumption of gutka is rising amongst the youth in the country which is leading to a rise in cases of diseases caused by these vices each year;
(b) if so, the measures being undertaken by the Government to raise awareness amongst the youth and discourage smoking and consumption of gutka and other tobacco products; and
(c) the details of schemes/ programmes and funds allocated to check the same?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): As per the key findings/highlights of “Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2) India 2016-2017”, conducted for persons aged 15 years and above, the prevalence of current tobacco smokers has decreased from 14.0% in GATS-1 (Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India 2009-2010) to 10.7% in GATS-2. Further, the prevalence of tobacco use among the young population aged 15-24 has reduced from 18.4% in GATS-1 to 12.4% in GATS-2, which is a 33% relative reduction.
There is ban on manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of food products containing tobacco or nicotine, such as Gutkha, vide the Food Safety Regulations issued in 2011 under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
(b): To sustain the momentum of decline in consumption of tobacco products, the stakeholders are being made aware on a regular basis about the adverse effects of tobacco usage on health through various anti-tobacco campaigns vide different mode of communication.
Government of India has notified rules to regulate films and TV programmes depicting scenes of tobacco usage to spread awareness. Such films and TV programmes are statutorily required to run anti-tobacco health spots, disclaimers and static health warnings.
Further, to spread awareness on adverse impact of consumption of tobacco products, the size of specified health warnings on packages of tobacco and tobacco products has been increased to 85% w.e.f. 1st April, 2016.
The Ministry has started National Toll-free Helpline in 2008, with a primary aim to report violations under various provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003). In addition, this Helpline provides information on harmful effects of consumption of tobacco, and on how to quit tobacco use, including after-effects of quitting tobacco.
The Ministry has also started National Tobacco Quitline to provide tobacco cessation services to the community and has launched a pan-India “mCessation” initiative to reach out to tobacco users who are willing to quit tobacco use and to support them towards successful quitting through text-messaging via mobile phones.
(c): The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 2007- 08 with the aim to (i) create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, (ii) reduce the production and supply of tobacco products, (iii) ensure effective implementation of the provisions under “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003” (COTPA, 2003) (iv) help the people quit tobacco use, and (v) facilitate implementation of strategies for prevention and control of tobacco advocated by WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.
The funds allocated under NTCP for 2014-15, 2015-16 & 2016-17 are Rs. 80.68 crore, Rs. 101.30 crore & Rs. 134.80 crore, respectively.