Advancing Tobacco Control Programme

Tobacco use kills nearly six million people worldwide each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, globally, there were 100 million premature deaths due to tobacco in the 20th century, and if the current trends of tobacco use continues, this number is expected to rise to 1 billion in the 21st century.

In Maharashtra, according to Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2 in 2016-17 a total of 26.6% adults (men-35.5% and women-17%) use tobacco (smoked and smokeless). The prevalence of tobacco use among persons aged 15-17 has increased from 2.9% in GATS-1 to 5.5% in GATS-2. The mean age at initiation of tobacco use has decreased from 18.5 years in GATS 1 to 17.4 years in GATS 2. Every fifty adult was exposed to second-hand smoke at any public place.

Based on the findings of GATS-2 although it is appreciable that the prevalence of smoking has reduced overall in the state, the increase in use of tobacco by people aged 15-17 years, the reduced mean age of initiation of tobacco use and the increase in exposure to second hand smoke call of immediate action. These findings call for an immediate action so as to prevent the younger generation from initiating tobacco use and to protect vulnerable population from second hand smoke. This can be controlled through effective implementation and enforcement of COTPA 2003. Thus based on the guidelines of National Tobacco Control Program, MGVS has been working for tobacco control in Marathwada region of Maharashtra since 2007; recently in October 2019 MGVS has started a new project “Advancing Tobacco Control Program through Capacity building, multi-stakeholder engagement and enforcement of legislation” with the technical support of The Union-International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

Project Objectives:

1. To establish and strengthen politico administrative framework and institutional system at state and district level.
2. To build capacity of stakeholders to improve monitoring and compliance of tobacco control laws at district level.
3. To develop network and coalitions with government and non-governmental organization to ensure multi-stakeholder engagement.
4. To identify and monitor tobacco industry interference in Tobacco control and support development and strengthening of FCTC Article 5.3 in the state.
5. To support policy focused research, monitoring and evaluation of tobacco control program
6. To support policy focused research, monitoring and evaluation of tobacco control program

Progress in establishing and strengthening politico-administrative framework at state and district level

Summary of population reached by various tobacco control activities

Major Achievements:

With the efforts of MGVS TC teams along with the support from STCC-Maharashtra and DTCC of respective districts following notifications/circulars/letters were issued at state and district level by different government officials for effective implementation and enforcement of COTPA 2003:

1. Notification by MD NHM- Make all government offices tobacco free
2. Letter by Special IG of police to all SP to increase challaning under COTPA and include COTPA in monthly crime review.
3. State education department- Make all schools tobacco free by following “tobacco free school” guidelines
4. Joint Dir. Health services (NCD)- regular enforcement drives with a  specific time table; support letter for Advancing tobacco control project by MGVS.
5. Circular issued by Director of health services to implement guidelines based on FCTC Article 5.3
6. Circular by Joint Director of Health Services (NCD) for daily enforcement drives for COTPA 2003 on at least 10 to 15 Point of sale.
7. COTPA Section 4 compliance letter by district collectors of Aurangabad, Jalna, Hingoli, Parbhani and Nanded
8. COTPA Section 4 compliance letter by ZP-CEO of Aurangabad, Beed, Parbhani and Hingoli
9. COTPA Section 4 compliance and tobacco free WCD organization letter from Dy. Director of WCD.
10. Tobacco free schools letter by primary and secondary education officers of all six project districts
11. Tobacco free govt and semi govt residential schools letter by Dy Comm of social welfare of Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani and Hingoli
12. Initiated “Yellow Line Campaign” to make tobacco free schools in all project districts
13. Conducted Signage campaign for tobacco free government offices and public places in all project districts

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