Tobacco control laws are out of step with smokeless tobacco , Pg13

Key Highlights:

• In 2017, the economic costs of tobacco use in India for those above 35 years was estimated at ₹1.77 lakh crore, with an additional ₹56,670 crore in healthcare costs due to second-hand smoking.
• The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 is poorly implemented and lacks focus on smokeless tobacco (SLT), which is more commonly consumed due to its lower cost and cultural acceptance.
• COTPA fails to address surrogate advertisements and indirect promotion of tobacco through movies, social media, and OTT platforms.
• India's tobacco taxation is inadequate, with low tax burdens on bidis (22%) and cigarettes (50%), falling short of the WHO's recommended 75%.

Detailed Insights:

• Smokeless tobacco (SLT), though regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011, faces weak enforcement and is more carcinogenic than smoked tobacco.
• Surrogate advertisements exploit loopholes by using similar packaging for products like mouth fresheners to promote tobacco brands through classical conditioning.
• Despite banning e-cigarettes via the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019, online sales persist due to poor implementation.
• The National Tobacco Control Programme focuses on awareness and COTPA enforcement but lacks a comprehensive strategy addressing social determinants like poverty and unemployment.
• Tobacco Free Education Institute (ToFEI) lacks scientific rigor and comprehensive strategies for school awareness, contrasting with the U.S. CDC's recommendations.
• Inadequate and outdated data hinders public health researchers from understanding recent trends in tobacco consumption, limiting effective policy interventions.
• Raising excise taxes is the most effective way to reduce consumption, yet India’s tobacco taxation remains inadequate and uneven.

Key Concepts Involved:

• COTPA 2003: Indian law regulating the production, supply, and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
• Smokeless Tobacco (SLT): Tobacco products that are not burned, including gutka, khaini, and zarda.
• Surrogate Advertising: Promoting banned products by advertising other products with a similar brand name.