“The tobacco epidemic is one of the greatest threats to the humanity. Every year Globally 8 million and in India 1.3 million people die due to tobacco related diseases, which are preventable. MPVHA is committed to protect people of Madhya Pradesh from menace of ill effect of tobacco use. The efforts made are visible in the state. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-II 2016-17) speaks that in Madhya Pradesh there was a decline of 5.3 percent points in overall tobacco consumption i.e. from 39.5% (in 2008-09) to 34.2% (in 2016-17). Smoking at public places declined from 40% to 24% percent.”
Tobacco Control
Context
Government of India is committed to protect people from menace of ill effect of tobacco use. The National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) supports advancing the provision laid down in India’s tobacco control act i.e. Cigarette and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, production, Supply and Distribution) Act, (COTPA-2003). The NTCP mandates for full implementation of all provisions of COTPA through the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) and District Tobacco Control Cells (DTCCs).
MPVHA Efforts
A: Capacity Building
- Orientation cum Training of officials/law enforcers: Till date around 10,000 officials oriented/trained from Department of Health, Police, Education, Local self governance, Administration and Municipal Corporation from state to periphery level.
- Sensitization: 1000 higher officials and policymakers sensitized through one to one contact and workshops.
- Block level orientations: More than 225 block level orientation programs organized for field functionaries and other stakeholders.
- Orientation of new officials at Madhya Pradesh Police Academy and Academy of Administration have become a regular activities to orient them at initial stage of their carrier.
- Training of District Nodal Officers (Tobacco Control) in collaboration with State Tobacco Control Cell, Government of MP.
- Orientation of Civil Societies: Regular phenomenon to build the capacity of civil societies to reach difficult and remote parts of the state.
B: Strengthening and Institutionalization of National Tobacco Control Program: By facilitating and ensuring formation of District Tobacco Control Committees, monitoring providing technical support to State and District Tobacco Control Cells of 52 districts.
C: Directives and Orders: Facilitate the government departments to issue necessary directives from state, division and district level authorities. Around 500 directives have been ensured from state divisional and district level authorities for implementation of COTPA-2003 including ban of use of tobacco at public place during COVID pandemic.
D: Community Outreach: This is being done by various means of communication and observing important days like World No Tobacco Day World Cancer Day, No Smoking Day, World TB Day and organized various outreach programs.
E: Production of IEC materials: Large number of IEC material produced by MPVHA are being used by civil societies, government, trainers and implementers. These include:
- Ready reference kit on tobacco control for higher level officials and policymakers.
- Training manual for trainers and law enforcers.
- Handout on COVID-19 and Tobacco.
- Posters on ill effects of tobacco
- Posters on Indian Tobacco Control Act Implementation
- Health workers guide
- Newsletter etc.
F: Efforts for COVID & Tobacco Control
Mask Distribution: MPVHA with the support of its member/partner NGOs in various parts of the state to the needy groups and individuals.
Orders & Directives: Ban on sale and use of tobacco products at public places during COVID pandemic, in around 40 districts of the state procured.
MPVHAs Journey in Tobacco Control
MPVHA is addressing the issues related to tobacco control since 1995. Initially started with orientation of representatives of civil societies, IEC material, observation of World No Tobacco Days, organizing campaign like Quit & Win Competition, Air Quality Monitoring with the support of WHO and VHAI New Delhi. Later on the Ministry of Health Government of India gave the responsibility to build the capacity of top officials, policy makers, media and law enforcers of 5 states of the country on Indian Tobacco Control Act i.e. COTPA 2003. Based on the recommendations emerged during the capacity building program of top officials the organization decided to go for long term intervention in a planned manner. In the year 2008 MPVHA got opportunity to launch the PAT & APPLE project with the support of Voluntary Health Association of India & The Union. MPVHA has played an effective role and has always extended the hands of government in implementation of National Tobacco Control Program.
Currently, The International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease (The Union) under Bloomberg Grants Initiative (BGI) has made our task easy, in terms of capacity building of MPVHA team and support to organize various important activities in the state.
Major Outcomes
- The coordinated efforts made by MPVHA resulted into the declaration of 21 districts of Madhya Pradesh compliant to various sections of Indian Tobacco Control Act-COTPA 2003, with emphasis on making work and public places Smoke free under section 4. Madhya Pradesh was the first state which banned sale of Gutkha (a smokeless tobacco product) in the country. The state and all the districts have legal committees and trained manpower for implementation of tobacco control program to protect 70 million people of Madhya Pradesh with targeted intervention.
- The team members are well trained by The Union, American Cancer Society, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health which makes the task easy. MPVHA is also one of the members in the State Tobacco Control Committee formed by the government.
Recognition
- MPVHA got official recognition by the state on 26th January, during Independence Day celebration.
- MPVHA awarded World No Tobacco Day-2021 Award by WHO-Geneva in South East Asia Region.
Declaration:
MPVHA believes in promoting healthy lifestyle and always discourage the use of tobacco or other intoxicating substances in any form. The ill effects of tobacco and other intoxicating substances are well known. Tobacco epidemic kills more than 12-13 lakh people in India. Global evidence also suggest that tobacco use is leading cause of premature mortality in the world. Therefore the organization is committed neither to promote any tobacco products directly or indirectly, to save the life of the people of the state. It has always advocated people oriented health programs and extend the hands of Government in proper implementation of National Health Programs.
We adhere to the WHO – FCTC Article 5.3 and respect the letter issued on 07 July, 2020 by the MoHFW – GoI, related to the”Code of Conduct” and to prevent industry interference in Tobacco Control.