|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tobacco Control > Major Milestones |
|
|
|
Recent Milestones in VHAI’s Journey towards Tobacco Control in India |
Tobacco production, manufacture and consumption in various smoking and smokeless forms, is a
serious public health concern in India. It has assumed epidemic proportions with strong implications
on public health, as well as far-reaching social and economic implications.
VHAI is one of the pioneers in tobacco control at the national level, working simultaneously at the
state level through its federation of 27 State Voluntary Health Associations (SVHAS) as well as at
the grassroot level through the 4500-strong member network of State Voluntary Health Associations
and more than 100,000 health workers across the country.
The Key Focus Areas in VHAI’s Tobacco Control campaign are:
• Policy, political and media advocacy
• Coalition building and networking
• Establishing national and state-level resource centres
• Creation of comprehensive smoke-free environments
• Policy-focussed research
• Working with the government for the effective implementation of COTPA
• Monitoring and reporting of violations
• Alternative livelihoods and other advocacy issues for bidi and tobacco workers
• Development of advocacy materials
A number of landmark activities and developments have taken place in recent months which have
strengthened the tobacco control campaign in India:
Political Advocacy
VHAI used all available, relevant forums and opportunities to meet Parliamentarians and flag the
issue of public health in general and tobacco control in particular. Those contacted include prominent
Parliamentarians like Smt Sushma Swaraj, Smt Krishna Tirath, Shri Kapil Sibal and Ms. Brinda
Karat. Detailed meetings were held with Mr. Thomas Sangma & Mr. P.D. Rai who evinced interest in
orienting MPs from the North East on tobacco control issues. VHAI’s comprehensive range of IEC
materials was also shared with the Members and close follow-up has been initiated.
VHAI’s regular updates and continuous advocacy on tobacco control with parliamentarians, senior
bureaucrats and political leaders through letters, newsletters and e-mails, have lead to many
questions raised in the Monsoon session of the Parliament this year, reflecting current issues and
concerns in tobacco control. VHAI has also sent representations to all the members of the Parliamentary
Standing Committee on health sharing its disappointment at the delay in implementation
of the new pack warning.
Some of the questions raised by Parliamentarians:
Whether the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 prohibits employment of
children below the age of 14 years in bidi making and tobacco processes etc?
• Whether most of bidi workers are women and they are paid lesser remuneration in violation
of the Equal remuneration Act 1976?
• Whether a rise in the number of cases of mouth and other type of cancer, particularly among
women and children due to smoking and consumption of tobacco products ahs been noticed
in recent years in the country?
• Whether as per some studies, the existing pictorial health warnings on tobacco products are
inadequate in conveying the adverse impact of tobacco use on health?
• The details of steps taken by the Government to check surrogate advertising and brand promotion
activities by tobacco industry?
(for more details please visit www.rctfi.org)
Sub-national Advocacy on Tobacco Control
• Andhra Pradesh: A state-level Surprise Check Committee has been set up to monitor compliance,
with the Secretary, Andhra Pradesh VHA as the convener. This is an outcome of regular
advocacy by Andhra Pradesh VHA with the State Health Department.
• Uttar Pradesh: As a result of regular advocacy efforts of UP VHA, the State Government has
recently passed an order banning consumption of gutka in the UP SRTC buses. The order also
mandated display of signages inside buses with a provision for penalty.
• Jammu and Kashmir: J & K VHDA filed a PIL in the High Court of Srinagar and the HC in its
order directed the State Government to expedite the implementation of the smoke free rules
and ban on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions. A number of
supportive orders have also been issued by the government to facilitate the implementation of
the Section 4 & Section 6 of the COTPA. Further, an awareness-cum-training programme of senior
level police officers and drug control inspectors was organized by J&K VHDA in collaboration with
the newspaper, Greater Kashmir and Big 92.7 FM on in May 2010 for the effective enforcement
of the Tobacco Control Act, 2003. Through this workshop, enforcement officers and senior officials
like Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, District Development Commissioner, Joint Director
of Information, senior level officers of police,
food and drug control department and media
persons were oriented on tobacco control and
COTPA, paving the way for strengthening of the
enforcement mechanism in Srinagar.
• Tripura: Tripura VHA is working with the State
Tobacco Control Cell and Agartala Municipal
Council to make Agartala a smoke-free city.
Various initiatives have been launched, including
advocacy with political leadership, training of
enforcement officials, press meets and public
awareness activities. More than 2200 signages
have been put up across the city and all tobacco
advertisements have been removed. Awareness-cum-training workshop at J&K VHDA
• Shimla: A strong initiative to make Shimla smoke-free has been launched on World No Tobacco
Day by Himachal Pradesh VHA and State Tobacco Control Cell, under the leadership of the
Health Minister. 97% of public places in Shimla are already adhering to smoke-free rules, as
per a compliance study by the Union.
• Bhubaneshwar: Aparajita VHAI is pursuing the goal of smoke free city of Bhubaneswar. The
collaborative initiatives of civil society action on tobacco control has resulted in a strong support
and coordination among Health department, Commissionerate of Police, Bhubaneswar Municipal
Corporation, National Rural Health Mission, media, civil society organizations, health institutions
and youth groups. Activities include coalition meetings, orientation of enforcement officials and
dissemination of IEC and audio-visual materials.
Implementation of COTPA/Smoke free Public Places: Mapping
of Achievements, Gaps and Challenges in select districts of
India
Despite comprehensive tobacco control law in India, implementation and enforcement is still a
matter of concern. In a vast country like India, multi-faceted efforts are needed to monitor and
ensure that violations are minimum and defaulters are fined. VHAI is conducting a mapping exercise
to understand the current status of implementation of tobacco control laws in different settings,
identifying the gaps & challenges associated with it and come out with specific recommendations
for effective implementation of the law so as to ensure smoke free public places. This exercise was
carried out in 13 districts of 9 states – Assam, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Kerala, Meghalaya, Orissa and Sikkim. In Assam, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan the studies
were carried out in two districts, one district where National Tobacco Control Programme is being
implemented and the other which is not covered under NTCP. However, in Uttar Pradesh, only one
district covered under NTCP has been selected. Four remaining districts have been identified, one
each from Kerala, Meghalaya, Orissa and Sikkim. The data collected has been analyzed and the final
report is due to be released shortly.
Advocacy on Increased Taxation and GST
Price and tax measures as enshrined in the Article 6 of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(FCTC) is one of the key demand reduction strategies for tobacco control. Currently the taxation
structure in India is not rational and bidis are virtually untaxed. One of the core concerns of VHAI
is rational taxation of tobacco products without any exemptions. The team has been advocating
on this issue intensively in four states - Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan & West
Bengal. It has built up capacities to strengthen the advocacy efforts at national/sub-national level
in addition to extending technical support and sharing vital information. Initial background work
includes profiling of the key people which include the Health Minister, Finance Minister, Health
Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Head of Finance Commission (in states where it exists). A framework
was prepared to facilitate the state partners in completing the profiling exercise and thereafter, a
consolidated mapping document on key stakeholders and senior bureaucrats on tax at state-level
along with the specific tax and VAT rates has been completed. A factsheet on tax and GST, important
reports and studies on taxation, along with tax-related news from the national level has also been
shared with the states.
Implementation of Pictorial Health Warning on all Tobacco
Products
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare requested VHAI to carry out the pretesting of the next
round of pictorial health warnings in rural settings. It gave 8 pictograms to be field tested for their
efficacy in delivering the intended message, VHAI added 3 additional pictograms and increased the
sample size to 100 per state. The pretesting exercise was carried out in the 8 states of Arunachal
Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Sikkim. VHAI
used the existing research module of Healis with certain modifications. A total of 100 samples were
selected from each state, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with men’s groups, women’s
groups, youth groups and interviews were held with tobacco users, non users and retailers.
With the notification of the deferment in pictorial health warnings VHAI started advocating on the
issue with the Office of the Prime Minister, Health Minister, Members of the Standing Committee on
Health, key opposition leaders and select MPs, sensitizing them
about the urgent need for having stronger pack warnings. The
State VHAs too advocated with the political leadership and media
at the regional level by using used each and every platform to
criticize this retrograde step of the Ministry of Health.
Based on the ratings and VHAI’s report, the Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare (MoHFW), Govt. of India notified the new
pictorial health warning, which was rated by 98% of respondents
as the most effective and appropriate in conveying the dangers
of tobacco consumption. The new health warning shall come
into force on 1st December 2010.
Legal Advocacy
Legal advocacy is a powerful weapon in the battle against the influential tobacco lobby. In the past,
VHAI’s active campaign against tobacco through public interest litigations on Tobacco-free Sports
resulted in a landmark judgement. More recently, an earlier petition filed by HFM Trust, sister
concern of VHAI resulted in an interim order from the Supreme Court in May 2009, leading to the
implementation of pack warnings on all tobacco products.
Public Interest Litigation in Supreme Court for delay in implementation of new
pictorial health warning
Reflecting serious disappointment and grave concern by Public Health advocates over the Government
of India’s decision to defer the new pictorial health warning by 6 months (1st June to 1st December
2010), Health For The Millions Trust has filed a stay application in the Supreme Court challenging
the new govt. notification (vide GSR 411(E) dated 17th May 2010) issued by the Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, GoI. This stay application is part of the ongoing PIL filed by HFM in the Supreme
Court to ensure implementation of pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products. The PIL filed
on the deferment of pictorial warnings by HFM Trust was covered by major newspapers.
New Notified Pictorial Warning on Tobacco
Products
PIL on Child Labour in the Supreme Court
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by the Health for the Millions Trust, a sister concern of
VHAI in November 2009 in the Supreme Court. The plea asked for a complete ban on child labour
and the main clause in the law being challenged is that Schedule B of the Prohibition of Child Labour
Act which allows children to work in home-based occupations and government-aided schools
is violative of the law and the bidi industry is taking advantage of this loophole and are exploiting
it to their advantage and to the detriment of children compelled to work in such industries. Two
hearings on the case have been held so far and it has been covered by the print media.
Research Initiatives on Tobacco Control
VHAI’s research initiative aims to document local evidence on tobacco-related issues to strengthen
our advocacy initiative and garner political and public support. Research at VHAI also directed towards
to develop an evidence-based advocacy tool to counter the arguments of the tobacco industry.
The research initiative includes the following:
Tobacco and Poverty
Voluntary Health Association of India released the specially commissioned
research study “At the Crossroads of Life and Livelihood”
The Economics, Poverty and Working Conditions of People
Employed in the Tobacco Industry in India along with a documentary
film on tendu leaf pluckers, “Giving Away So much for
So Little” in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. The study
has been conducted amongst tobacco farmers, tendu leaf pluckers
and bidi rollers in four states of India – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The objectives were
to identify issues associated with bidi rolling, tobacco farming, and
tendu leaf plucking across different regions of the country, with
regard to socio-economic, health and working conditions and also
presents key evidence linking tobacco production and manufacturing
with crucial issues of growing poverty and impeded development.
It further highlights that the industry flouts all norms, pays lowest
possible wages keeping its workers in a cycle of poverty, debt and
ill-health. VHAI’s film on tendu leaf pluckers and their livelihood is an attempt at a situation analysis
to analyze the dynamics of tendu leaf plucking - the role of different
players, the process and the economics of this trade.
The study was released at press conferences in all the settings
whereby the key officials from the Government Departments, public
health experts, NGOs/CBOs, social activists, academicians and media
representatives were invited at the release and film screening. The
main objective of the programme was to sensitize and to create
awareness among the NGOs, CSOs, Government officials, media and
partner agencies to advocate for safer, viable, alternative livelihoods
for tobacco workers.
Release of Study on Tobacco Control and the Training of
Healthcare Providers
The study report titled, Tobacco Control and the Training of Health
care Providers authored by Dr. Lalit M Nath, Ex-Director, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences was released at a roundtable discussion
between distinguished experts from the public health field in July
2010 at VHAI.
The released copy was received by Prof. Ranjit Roy Choudhary, Member,
Governing Board, Medical Council of India. The roundtable discussion
focused on advocacy with the Medical Council of India, to include
tobacco control in the curriculum of medical students and the health
care providers.
Research on Mainstreaming Bidi Workers through Alternative Livelihoods
As a follow up action of the study conducted by VHAI on Bidi rollers of West Bengal, an action
research on ‘Mainstreaming Bidi Workers through Alternative Livelihood Options’, has been
initiated by VHAI in Dhuliyan municipality and its periphery areas in Murshidabad district of West
Bengal. The research is aimed at developing a better understanding of the interests and needs of
bidi workers while adopting a safer, viable alternative livelihood mechanism for them.
In the action research programme, group members were taken to Orissa for an exposure visit to the
VHAI livelihood project set up after the super cyclone in the coastal Orissa to rehabilitate affected
villagers. Several interventions like IT Skill Development, Self Help Groups, and health check up
camps were initiated on the basis of preliminary findings of the research. This year, a federation has
been initiated consisting of representatives from the 30 self help groups how were previously bidi
rollers. Ten of these groups prepare ready-to-eat snacks made of gram flour, puffed rice and other
ingredients, four groups sell processed rice and a few other groups prepare spices. More than 11
of these groups have received loans from banks. Further, 20 adolescent bidi workers have received
training in computer operations. VHAI
volunteers have also identified a
potters community in Mahadevnagar
village and imparted training to 15
potters in this village who were into
Bidi work earlier. As part of SHGs, they
are now producing and marketing
pottery products in the local market. In
addition, the SHG members observed
World No Tobacco Day 2010 where
more than 60 women participated in
a public rally. Efforts will be made for
linking this project with Government’s
livelihood programmes and other
income generating projects, banks
and other institutions.
Media Advocacy and Sensitization on Tobacco Control
VHAI pursues a pro-active media advocacy policy through national, state-level and regional campaigns
to disseminate policy-related information, specially where the aim is to call for a policy change in
policy or seek the public’s stand on an issue. The key strategy is to stir media interest in issues
and developments in the area of tobacco control, create opinion amongst the public and thus create
a pressure lobby to advocate for and bring about policy changes in support of effective tobacco
control in the country. As part of VHAI’s efforts to sensitize media on tobacco control issues and
increase coverage in the media, sensitization workshops for the media were organized this year
in select settings on key concerns. In Ahmedabad, J & K and Hyderabad, workshops for media focused
on COTPA, whereas smokefree was the main theme at Shimla, Sikkim and Agartala. The team
also sensitized media persons on child labour in the bidi industry in the workshops held at Patna,
Hyderabad and Lucknow. In addition, other key policy priorities like the deferment of pack warnings
etc. were addressed in workshops at Gwalior, Lucknow, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur, Shillong, Guwahati
and Kolkata. All these interactions between the media and grassroots level workers and activists,
help in creating and keeping alive media
interest in issues of concern in the area
of tobacco control and in enlisting their
support. At times effective and timely
advocacy and networking with the media
results in exclusive stories on current
developments and having a spill over
effect in the regional, vernacular media.
VHAI and its partners are also the first
point of reference for media on updates
and latest developments in the area of
tobacco control.
World No Tobacco Day 2010
World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31st. Tobacco use is a critical
health concern for women and the theme this year was “Gender and tobacco with an emphasis
on marketing to women” to highlight the rising tobacco use among women and girls.
Voluntary Association of India and its State Partners conducted a broad range of activities across
several states such as mass rallies, media sensitization workshops, public awareness campaigns,
community sensitization programmes, and workshops. The main objective was to include key
stakeholders like government departments, media, medical and para-medical staff, management
institutions, NGOs, community-based organizations, etc.
In Delhi, VHAI collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government
of India and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to organize a programme on at Lady Hardinge
Medical College, Delhi. VHAI was involved in media management and in putting up an exhibition
highlighting the different provisions of the Tobacco Control Act and the adverse harmful effects of
tobacco use. A fact sheet on the issue of women and tobacco was developed by VHAI team and was
distributed to all the participants during the programme.
VHAI also participated in the WNTD activities organized by the Delhi Government at the Secretariat
wherein the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt Sheila Dixit and Health minister Prof. Kiran Walia were
the Chief Guests. In addition, VHAI conceptualized and developed a half page public advertisement
published in major newspapers for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the the occasion
of WNTD. The team also developed a poster on Tobacco and Women for the MOHFW.
In addition, VHAI’s state partners conducted a broad range of activities across all states such as mass
rallies, media sensitization programmes, public symposiums, community sensitization workshops,
media interactions, street plays, cultural programmes and more.
Annual State Partners Meet
VHAI organized its Annual State Partners Meet on Tobacco Control in March 2010. The technical
sessions during the programme focused on pack warnings, smoke free, cessation, economics of
smokeless tobacco, taxation and GST issues etc. An experience sharing session with all state parments
was held on the issues of political advocacy, media advocacy, reporting, networking & coalition
building. One of the highlights of the programme was a special session organized for the states of
North East to share their experiences on tobacco control.
Right to Information - A Medium for Political and Media
Advocacy
Right to Information Act has consistently proved to be a very effective tool for enforcing the
Tobacco Control Act at central and state levels. RTIs are filed regularly with the MOHFW and
other departments in Assam, Delhi, Kerala, MP, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, UP and West Bengal. The
responses recieved from by ministry and government departments are used in advocacy for
enforcement of COTPA. Recently, an RTI query was filed with the Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare to access information regarding the deferment of the new pictorial health warning on
tobacco products from 1st June to December 01, 2010. Another RTI application was filed with
the Ministry of Finance to get the details regarding the taxation structure on different tobacco
products.
Smoke-free Sikkim
Sikkim was declared smoke-free on 31st May 2010 on World No Tobacco Day by D.N Thakarpa
Hon’ble Minister for Health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare, Government of Sikkim. It
is the first state in India to go smoke-free with the active support and involvement of multiple
stakeholders.
VHAI in collaboration with Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim organized a special stakeholders
workshop in June 2010 at the Press Club, Gangtok. There were participants from media, civil
society representatives, government officials, and public health activists. Dr. P.M Pradhan, State
Nodal Officer, Sikkim gave a comprehensive presentation on the findings of the Compliance Survey
conducted by the Sikkim Health Services. The media team from VHAI made a presentation
on the role of media in facilitating and sustaining the smoke-free Sikkim initiative. The event
received wide media coverage in various North-Easter dailies and periodicals.
Special issue of HFM on Tobacco
Control
In continuation of VHAI’s earlier initiative of publishing
a special issue of Health for the Millions, the bi-monthly
journal produced by HFM Trust, a sister concern of VHAI, this
year too the team worked on a special issue titled, Tobacco
Control – Gaining Momentum. It covered several aspects of
tobacco control and focused on the latest developments in
global trends, health impacts of tobacco, livelihood issues and
tobacco taxation. Some of the highlights of the issue were
contributory pieces on integration of tobacco control and
TB, smokeless tobacco, child labour as well as an executive
summary of the latest study, “Economics of Tobacco and
Tobacco Taxation in India”. The special issue was distributed
among all key stakeholders, gaining appreciation from various
quarters. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Budgam Declared First Smoke Free District In Jammu & Kashmir 
