European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSESMENT OF CIGARETTES AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS ACT (COTPA) IMPLEMENTATION IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: A STUDY FROM HILL STATE OF NORTH INDIA

Dr. Satish Kanwar* and Dr. Navpreet

ABSTRACT

Background: The tobacco consumption accounts for almost a million of deaths every year in India. The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003) was passed to curb the menace of tobacco. In Himachal Pradesh, the tobacco consumption has become quite evident particularly among adolescents and youth. Aim and objectives: (i) to determine implementation status of Section 4 (Prohibition of smoking in public places) around educational institutions and (ii) to determine implementation status of section 6b (Prohibition of sale of tobacco products near educational institutions) under COTPA in district Bilaspur. Methodology: The secondary data was taken about implementation of guidelines under COTPA in educational institutions situated in Block Markand, district Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh during months of November and December 2021. Twenty-five educational institutions were evaluated with the help of checklist. The data analysis was done. Results: All the 25 educational institutions were found to have 90 or more score (out of 100) regarding implementation of COTPA guidelines. Nodal Officer from the educational institution was appointed in all. Displays of “Tobacco free area” signage and “Tobacco free Education Institution” signage was found in all educational institutions. Tobacco control activity was organized in all the educational institutions during last six months. Tobacco monitors were designated in all the educational institutions. Out of 25, only 04 educational institutions did not have marking of 100 yards. No significant difference was found between mean scores of high schools and senior secondary schools regarding implementation of COTPA guidelines for educational institutions. Conclusion: The implementation of section 4 and section 6a under COTPA was found to be satisfactory in block Markand, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.

Keywords: COTPA, Educational Institutions, Tobacco, India.