World No Tobacco Day 2022: Theme, Government Initiatives and COTPA Act

World No Tobacco Day, observed every year on May 31. The day has been celebrated by the World Health organization since 1987 to raise awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco consumption, and what efforts can be done to make the world tobacco free.

Concerns With No Tobacco Day

Global data shows that every year around 6 million people die from diseases due to the direct or indirect consumption of Tobacco. If the essential efforts are not taken care of very soon, the number may cross over 8 million by 2030.

Reducing deaths caused by non-infectious diseases by a third is one of the agenda under the sustainable development goals and tobacco related ailments falls under this category. That's why the 2022 campaign is more focused on the necessary preventive measurements at Global level for fighting against Tobacco.

World No Tobacco Day Theme 2022

The theme for 2022 is: "Protect The Environment"

This year for 'World No Tobacco Day', the theme is selected having concerns with the environment. The aim is to draw global attention to the adverse effects of the whole tobacco cycle on the environment. Starting from its cultivation, production, distribution and the toxic smoke and waste it generates, it not only impacts the environment adversely but also brainwashing people by appealing marketing strategies.

Health Issues Associated With Tobacco

Medical studies show that the smoke generated by Tobacco includes more than 7000 chemicals and most of them are carcinogenic, which increases the risk of life threatening diseases like cancer. Consumption of tobacco in the form of smoking cuts down lung capacity which can further develop into severe respiratory conditions, pulmonary complications such as lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

According to WHO every year around 600,000,000 trees chopped down to make cigarettes, 84,000,000 tonnes of CO2 is emitted every year into the air raising global temperatures and 22,000,000,000 Tonnes of water used to make cigarettes.

Timeline of Effective Steps

Here We are presenting a timeline of gradual progressive steps that have been taken in the wake of the fight against the adverse effects of tobacco products.

In the 1960s - A health warning started to appear on U.S. tobacco and cigarette packaging; Read it and Weep.
'Cigarettes Act, 1975' in India mandated display of statutory health warnings in advertisement and on cartons and cigarette packages.
In 1987- World No Tobacco Day was initiated globally by WHO.
In 2003, the World Health Organization adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to promote awareness against smoking with the use of labels.
COTPA: Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act [COTPA], 2003 was enacted by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare.
The Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, Regulation 2.3.4, issued under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, provides that tobacco and nicotine cannot be used as ingredients in Food Products.
A 'Quit Line' toll free number 1800112356 was introduced in 2016 which is now available in 16 languages and other local dialects from 4 centres.
The "Guidelines for Tobacco Free Educational Institution" for effective implementation of Section-6 of COTPA, 2003, have been issued by the Ministry on 31st May, 2019.
There is a 28% GST imposed on Tobacco products.

COTPA Act For Tobacco Products

To eradicate the adverse impact of Tobacco consumption, COTPA; Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act was enacted in 2003 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The bill was passed to reduce the consumption of tobacco products so that the masses can be protected from the health hazards generated by the use of tobacco.

As per section 6(b) of COTPA 2003, (amendment rules 2011) the sales of tobacco products are prohibited to and by persons below the age of 18 years and it is also restricted within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution.

While there is a concern of employment of tobacco workers is associated, the Government of India has also started skill development programmes for bidi rollers for providing them vocational alternatives. The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, is working in collaboration towards achieving this sustainable goal.