• Delhi government’s additional director of health S.K. Arora has been awarded the prestigious WHO World No Tobacco Day 2018 Award for his extraordinary contribution towards tobacco control.

National Tobacco Control Programme:

• India is the second largest tobacco consuming country in the world with 27 crore users.
• The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India in 2007- 08, during the 11th five year plan, with the following objectives:
• To bring about greater awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and about the Tobacco Control Laws.
• To facilitate effective implementation of the Tobacco Control Laws.
• The key activities undertaken under the National Tobacco Control Programme include:
  • National Level Public awareness campaigns
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Research.
  • Advocacy and inter-sectoral linkages
  • Training and capacity building of multiple stakeholders.
  • Enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act (COTPA, 2003)
  • School Awareness Programmes
  • Setting up and expansion of cessation services.

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

• The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first global public health treaty. It is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
• The WHO FCTC was developed by countries in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.
• The Treaty was developed by countries in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.
• There are currently 180 Parties to the Convention.
• India has been the forerunner in ratification of this public health treaty and was the 7th Country to ratify the Convention in 2004.
• India provided a leadership role in the negotiations of FCTC and was also the Regional Coordinator for the South-East Asia Region.
• The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the Governing Body of the WHO FCTC and is comprised of all Parties to the Convention.
• It keeps under regular review the implementation of the Convention and takes the decisions necessary to promote its effective implementation, and may also adopt protocols, annexes and amendments to the Convention.

Outcomes:

• As a result of various measures taken by the government, NGOs and civil society organizations, the tobacco use in the country is estimated to have reduced by 81 lakhs and youth consumption of tobacco has also seen marked decrease.
• A 54% relative reduction in prevalence of tobacco use among minors (15-17 years) and 28% reduction in the age group of 18-24 years has been reported