Question : National Tobacco Control Programme

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched by the Government to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the steps taken by the Union Government to ensure effective implementation of the provisions under Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 to help the people quit tobacco use;

(c) the extent to which it has reduced the production and supply of tobacco products and the funds allotted to each State for National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) the details of the funds utilised by such States during the said period and the number of districts covered under NTCP; and

(e) whether there is any proposal to revise the NTCP guidelines and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): Yes, the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched in 2007- 08 with the aim to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption; reduce the production and supply of tobacco products; 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) & help the people quit tobacco.

Government of India undertakes public awareness campaigns on tobacco control on a regular basis about the adverse effects of tobacco usage on health through various anti-tobacco campaigns vide different mode of communication; display of anti-tobacco spots in films and television programmes depicting tobacco use; and mandating specified health warnings depicting harmful effects of tobacco use on tobacco products packages covering 85% of their principal display area. Tobacco quitline services have also been launched to provide tobacco cessation telephonic counselling services those who are willing to quit tobacco use.

(b): Enforcement of provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, is the responsibility of the States/UTs. Several guidelines/advisory viz. Guidelines for Law Enforcers for effective implementation of tobacco control laws; Operational Guidelines on NTCP; Tobacco Dependence Treatment Guidelines; National Tobacco Control Programme-Health Worker Guide; etc. have been disseminated by this Ministry to States/UTs from time to time.

Union Government has taken several steps to help the people quit tobacco use which inter-alia includes setting up of Tobacco Quitline services, m-cessation facilities, and provision for setting up of Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs) at district level under NTCP.

(c) & (d): As per the information received from Department of Commerce, Government of India, Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco is produced in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka which is mostly exported. There is no institutional mechanism at present to oversee the regulation of production of Non-FCV tobaccos. The details regarding the production of FCV tobacco and export of unmanufactured tobacco are as under:
Crop season/
Year Production of FCV tobacco
(Qty in Million Kg) Export of unmanufactured tobacco
(Qty in MT)
2014-15 293.45 219572
2015-16 190.19 215316
2016-17 204.07 204447
2017-18 239.59 185363

The details of funds allotted under NTCP and utilization State/UT wise is at Annexure.
At present, 612 districts are covered under NTCP.

(e): No such proposal is under consideration.