(a) whether the WHO in its First report on Global Tobacco Use and Control Efforts has revealed
that the use of Tobacco among young women in India is rapidly increasing;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the steps taken by the Government to control use of tobacco by citizens have not been
proved effective; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor alongwith the further strategies to check the use of tobacco?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) & (b): WHO report on Global Tobacco Use and Control measures has revealed rise in tobacco use
among young women in high population countries. The report has projected the trend having portents
of an ominous potential of an epidemic. The report indicates that women smoke at about one fourth
the rate of men and tobacco industry is aggressively marketing to tap this potential.
(c) & (d): Government of India has enacted a very strong Tobacco Control Act, 2003 which provides
for the following:-
# Prohibition of direct and indirect advertisement of all tobacco products;
# Prohibition of smoking in a public place;
# Prohibition of sale of all tobacco products to a person below the age of 18 years.
# Prohibition of sale of all tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of educational
institutions
# Mandatory depiction of statutory warning (including pictorial warnings) on tobacco packs.
States Government are the implementing agencies for the various provisions of this Act.
As the implementation of the Act in various states is not to the desired level, the Central
Government envisages strengthening of the States/Districts capacity by establishment of State/
District Tobacco Control Cells under the National Tobacco Control Programme pilot phase of which
has been launched in the year 2007-08 in 9 States.