Question : Violations of COTPA- 2003

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

(a) whether the Government has booked a number of violators of the Designated Smoking Area (DSA) during the year 2017-18 under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003);

(b) if so, the details thereof and the amount of fine collected there from, State/ UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study on the impacts of DSA in India, if so, the details thereof;

(d) if not, whether the Government has received any representation in this regard, if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government is considering any proposal to remove certain provisions allowing DSA under the COTPA, 2003 as followed in various countries for tobacco control; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken by the Union Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): No such data is maintained centrally.
(c) & (d): As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India 2016-2017, there has been a sizeable relative reduction of 35% in exposure to Second-Hand Smoke at restaurants.
Further, the Survey recommends that the policy that allows for designated smoking areas in public places like restaurants, hotels and airports needs to be reviewed and where necessary amended suitably to protect non-smokers who may be workers or visitors to such locations.
(e) & (f): No such proposal is under consideration of this Ministry.
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