The National Health Policy (NHP), 2017 stipulates the target of relative reduction of 15% in tobacco use by 2020 and of 30 % by 2025, from the baseline levels of 2010. As per the Report of the second round of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS- 2), there has been 17.3% relative reduction in prevalence of tobacco use from 2009-10 to 2016-17. As such, the target set for 2020 has been achieved. Several steps have been taken by the Government to further achieve the target for reduction in prevalence of tobacco use by 2025.

 

The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/UTs and is subject to the resource envelope. The programme focusses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation for prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility. For treatment of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) for activities upto district level and below, states are given financial assistance under NHM in the ratio of 60:40 (90:10 in case of NE and hilly States). Under NP-NCD, 724 District NCD Clinics, 210 Cardiac Care Centre, 326 District Day Care Centres and 6110 Community Health Centres NCD Clinics have been set up.

A comprehensive legislation, namely the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003) to regulate the use of tobacco products has been enacted to discourage the use of tobacco, with a view to achieve improvement of public health in general as enshrined in Article 47 of the Constitution. The provisions under COTPA, 2003 and the Rules made thereunder prohibits smoking in public places; ban on sale of tobacco products to and by minors, sale of tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of educational institutions; prohibition on direct and indirect advertising of tobacco products and mandatory display of specified health warnings.

To further accelerate the efforts towards tobacco control, Government launched National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in 2007-08. The National Tobacco Control Programme aims at discouraging the use of tobacco with special emphasis on protection of children and young people. It also serves to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption through regular and sustained public awareness campaigns. National Tobacco Quitline provides tobacco cessation services to reach out to tobacco users who are willing to quit tobacco use. The States/UTs undertake drives for enforcement of COTPA 2003 from time to time. Enforcement efforts are also monitored by the State Tobacco Control Cells (STCCs) and District Tobacco Control Cells (DTCCs). Additionally, the Ministry has also issued the “Guidelines for Tobacco Free Educational Institution (Revised)” for effective implementation of Section-6 of COTPA, 2003. As per the National Health Policy (2017), the target for non-communicable diseases is to reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases by 25% by 2025.

A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e., diabetes, hypertension and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening. Screening of these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres.

Preventive aspect of NCDs has been strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs and for promotion of healthy lifestyle include observation of International & National Health Days and use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through FSSAI. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NP-NCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for cardiovascular diseases to be undertaken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.