Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether a Committee has been constituted by the Government to review and suggest amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA); and
(b) if so, the findings of the aforesaid Committee and the action taken thereon?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): A Committee of Experts was constituted in July 2014 to review COTPA, 2003 and to suggest amendments thereto. The Committee recommended to enhance the penalty amounts, address new and emerging challenges, delete provisions which are contrary to the objective of the Act and include provisions which are essential for discouraging tobacco use and are in compliance with the articles and guidelines under WHO-FCTC.
Based on the above recommendations, Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Bill, 2015 was introduced. However, the Bill was later withdrawn in 2017.
Since then, no such Committee has been constituted by this Ministry.