scholarly journals Perception of Tobacco in Young Adults of Urban India: A Qualitative Exploration and Health Policy Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 198s-198s
Author(s):  
S. Ghose ◽  
S.S. Datta

Background: Tobacco is the single largest cause of preventable death globally. An emerging body of evidence shows that tobacco is 1 of the identified causes of cancer contributing to 50% of cancers in men and 20% in women and the same is estimated to kill 10 million people by 2030. The epicenter of this epidemic is the low and middle income countries with 80% of the 1 billion smokers in the world coming from there. India is home to 275 million tobacco users and is the second largest producer and user of tobacco products after China. Many of the users demonstrate a very early smoking debut and a significant proportion of India's population falls in this group. Prevention of early tobacco debut and use of tobacco in youth is 1 of the critical ways of reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases in the world. There is very limited information on how today's youth perceive using tobacco products, and what they think of the anti-tobacco campaigns and legislative measures. Aim: The qualitative arm aims to bridge some of the knowledge gaps related to tobacco use in today's urban youth; to understand the perceptions of the youth about tobacco. The policy piece evaluates relevant tobacco control legislations in India using a prevalidated policy analysis framework. It critically analyses the gaps of the national tobacco control mechanisms responsible for impacting the tobacco use in the youth. Methods: A qualitative grounded theory approach was followed. In a university in India, 30 young undergraduate students were recruited. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus groups and participant observations. The policy section critically analyzed relevant parts of the India's tobacco control law taking its lead from the qualitative data, compared it with the WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC), and identifies barriers and gaps to understand how its impacting the use of tobacco in youth. Results: Peer influence and social desirability emerged as major influencers for tobacco debut. Stress, exams, depression, family problems and symptoms of stress for example headache, sleeplessness etc. were other influencers for debut. The other major theme was the perceptions and concepts on tobacco addiction and quitting. Knowledge among youth on available quitting or cessation support was very little. Most of the study participants believed that the current tobacco control measures are not effective. The policy analysis of national tobacco control measures revealed significant gaps that are currently being exploited by the tobacco industry as they continue to promote tobacco products and increase production capacity. Conclusion: This study recommends amending the Indian tobacco control law to address the gaps and implement a more stringent legislation commensurate to the tobacco use patterns and existing barriers.

Author(s):  
Dhwanit Thakore ◽  
Mahesh Chavda ◽  
Girish Parmar ◽  
Tejal Sheth

Tobacco use- a major public health issue in India has an enormous effect on the lower SES population. . There is an evident link between tobacco use or consumption and poverty. The widespread use of almost all forms of tobacco among the Indian population can be attributed to the social and cultural acceptance in the country. Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) is the legislation that regulates tobacco in India. The prime objective of this review is to compile the literature with information about the laws regulating tobacco use and the status of implementation of tobacco control provisions covered under COTPA. Since effective tobacco control measures involve multi-stakeholders i.e public health, law, trade and commerce, industry, consumer, human rights and child development, coordinated efforts are required to successful enforcement. The outcome of the current literature is bridging the gaps to make the tobacco control a very important public health goal and thereby protect the population from the consequent morbidity and mortality due to tobacco use.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (e2) ◽  
pp. e92-e101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Luiz Oliveira da Silva ◽  
Stella Aguinaga Bialous ◽  
Patrícia Gonçalves Duarte Albertassi ◽  
Daniela Aparecida dos Reis Arquete ◽  
Ana Marcia Messeder Sebrao Fernandes ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe tobacco industry (TI) uses several strategies to attract new consumers, including using additives in tobacco products, which makes tobacco especially attractive to youth. Based on scientific evidence and the principles of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA, for the name in Portuguese), published the Collegiate Board Resolution (RDC, for the name in Portuguese) 14/2012 in 2012, prohibiting the addition of substances that enhance the flavour and taste of tobacco products in order to make them more attractive. In response, the TI used various strategies to prevent RDC 14/2012 from entering into force. At the time, the Brazilian additive ban was the most comprehensive in the world as it included a ban on menthol.ObjectivesThis paper analyses the arguments and strategies used by the TI to prevent the implementation of the additives ban.MethodsReview of published articles, reports, legislation and legislative activity, internal TI documents, media stories and other documents to describe TI’s reaction to the ban.ResultsThe results show that the TI used some well-known strategies to delay or cancel the entering into force of the resolution. For example, the TI attempted political interference, used litigation and commissioned studies with findings that questioned the resolution’s rationale. The TI strategies used in Brazil are similar to those used at the global level to oppose other tobacco control measures.ConclusionsTI successfully delayed the most comprehensive additive ban in the world using its usual tactics, despite the fact that none of the arguments presented by the TI had an acceptable scientific basis or evidence.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 235s-235s
Author(s):  
S. Ghose ◽  
S.S. Datta

Background and context: The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the world's first public health treaty enacted under the World Health Organization (WHO). It is the biggest global initiative in tobacco control. India is a signatory to this treaty since 2004. India is home to 275 million tobacco users and is the second largest producer and user of tobacco products after China. The country is also known for widespread production and consumption of many smokeless forms of tobacco. India's progress in complying with the Framework Convention treaty had been inconsistent. While few states (provinces) are making significant progress, larger parts of the country struggles with gaps in the law, weak regulatory surveillance and overall noncompliance. The protobacco lobbies in India argue against the legislation by forecasting that banning tobacco production would lead to huge loss of employment and significant negative impact on the economy. These issues act as big deterrents to the country's tobacco control initiatives. Aim: There are very few published policy analyses on compliance with the FCTC treaty and identifying gaps in Indian tobacco control laws. This paper looks at India's tobacco use behavior, the national tobacco control laws, and its gaps and barriers. Strategy/Tactics: Using a policy triangle framework developed by Walt and Gilson (1994), it analyzes the national tobacco control policies and laws against the current scenario to identify areas of improvement and policy reform. Program/Policy process: The Indian tobacco control regulations and the National Tobacco Control Plan is evaluated in light of the WHO FCTC treaty to identify gaps and barriers to its implementation using published evidence. Outcomes: The analysis revels significant gaps and legal complexities that are currently being exploited by the tobacco industry as they continue to promote tobacco products and increase production capacity. There are also important ethical issues related to the use of child labor in tobacco trade in India. What was learned: This paper recommends to amend the Indian tobacco control law to address the gaps and implement a more stringent legislation commensurate to the tobacco use patterns and existing barriers. This also recognizes the political-economic aspects and reflects on the contextual variables and stakeholders that play a significant role in deciding the fate of tobacco production, use and control in India.


2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-056404
Author(s):  
Megan Little ◽  
Hana Ross ◽  
George Bakhturidze ◽  
Iago Kachkachishvili

BackgroundGeorgian illicit cigarette consumption was 1.5% in 2017. In 2018, a new tobacco control law took effect followed by a substantial cigarette excise tax increase in 2019. Research shows these policies reduce tobacco consumption, but the tobacco industry argues they increase illicit trade. There is limited evidence on this, particularly from developing countries.MethodsA panel household survey in Georgia obtained data over three waves: 2017 baseline, 2018 after the tobacco control law took effect and 2019 after taxes increased. A sample of 1578 smokers (and quitters in later waves) from five regions reported their tobacco use and were asked to present a cigarette pack in their possession. These were examined for tax stamps and health warnings to establish legality.FindingsThere was no evidence of an increase in illicit cigarette consumption in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe or Gori in any wave. In Zugdidi, near the Russian-occupied Abkhazia, illicit cigarette consumption was increasing even prior to the tax increase, reaching 30.9% by wave 3. A country-wide shift occurred from manufactured cigarettes to roll-your-own tobacco (whose tax remained unchanged) between waves 2 and 3.ConclusionNo evidence of a country-wide increase in illicit cigarette trade was found after non-fiscal tobacco measures took effect and cigarette taxes increased. Relatively high illicit cigarette consumption in Zugdidi highlights the role of disputed territories and border administration in illicit cigarette supply. Substitution towards roll-your-own tobacco after manufactured cigarette taxes increased demonstrates the importance of equalising taxes on tobacco products to maximise public health benefits.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard F. Oppeltz ◽  
Ismail Jatoi

The global burden of cancer is escalating as a result of dramatic increases in the use of tobacco in the developing world. The use of tobacco is linked to the development of a broad variety of cancers, mainly lung cancer, the single most common cancer in the world. Tobacco smoking-attributable deaths extends beyond cancer and include stroke, heart attack and COPD. Widening disparities in cancer-related mortality have shifted towards a more dramatic burden in the developing world. Appropriate interventions must be implemented to reduce tobacco use and prevent global mortality that has escalated to epidemic levels. Tobacco control policies, including public health advertisement campaigns, warning labels, adoption of smoke-free laws, comprehensive bans and tax policies are highly effective measures to control tobacco use. Clinicians and academic institutions have to be actively committed to support tobacco control initiatives. The reduction in cancer related morbidity and mortality should be viewed as a global crisis and definitive results will depend on a multilevel effort to effectively reduce the burden of cancer, particularly in underprivileged regions of the world.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 1179173X2110642
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Seitz ◽  
Kenneth D. Ward ◽  
Zubair Kabir

Background The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Health Warnings Database is an online, publicly available resource created for countries to upload and share pictorial health warnings for tobacco packaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which the database is used by countries for the sharing of pictorial warnings. Methods The study’s sample included parties to the FCTC who required graphic health warning labels on cigarette packaging from. Those countries were categorized as having a low, middle, and high Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). The Health Warnings Database was then analyzed for those countries’ unique pictorial images, as well as the number of pictorials that were shared between countries. Results Of the 110 countries that required pictorial warnings on cigarette packaging, only 53 (48%) voluntarily contributed pictorials to the database, with most of those (53%) being high SDI-level countries. There were 342 unique pictorials on the database, with 62 images posted by seven countries that were used by 13 other countries. Conclusion While sharing was evident from the database, there remains a need for more countries to upload the pictorials to the database. There is also a need to expand the database to include alternative tobacco products, such as waterpipe tobacco and e-cigarettes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 2196-2202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Kumar Singh ◽  
Amit Yadav ◽  
Pranay Lal ◽  
Dhirendra N Sinha ◽  
Prakash C Gupta ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The dual use of smoked and smokeless tobacco (SLT) poses a serious challenge to tobacco control efforts. This article examines the trends and patterns of this usage in India during the period 2009–2010 and 2016–2017. Methods Data from two rounds of nationally representative cross-sectional Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted in 2009–2010 and 2016–2017 have been used. Dual use was assessed based on current smokers and SLT users in both rounds. Results Findings reveal that dual use in India has dropped from 5.3% during 2009–2010 to 3.4% during 2016–2017, a decline of nearly 10 million dual users. However, some states have added nearly 4.6 million new dual users during this period. While dual use continues to remain high in rural areas, there has been a manifold increase in urban areas. Findings revealed that intention to quit tobacco was lower among dual tobacco users as compared to single users with considerable difference between urban and rural areas. Conclusion Easy availability and affordability of SLT products compared to smoking products and restrictions on smoking in public places may have pushed current smokers and dual users to take to or intensify their SLT consumption. Measures relating to awareness, pricing, taxation, and enforcement of tobacco control laws should focus on all forms of tobacco, especially targeting high dual burden in rural and urban settings. Implications Dual form of tobacco users represent 12% of all tobacco users in the country. The study reveals that intention to quit tobacco among dual users is significantly lower than that among single tobacco product users. This requires improving public awareness about the morbidity and mortality that arises from the use of all forms of tobacco products. Efforts to restrict the availability of tobacco products should focus on licensing the sale of all tobacco products. Reduction in dual tobacco use will not only result in multiplied health benefits but also help in achieving the Non-Communicable Diseases targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Rimmer

Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) poses significant challenges in respect of tobacco control, public health, human rights, and sustainable development. Two landmark ISDS rulings provide procedural and substantive guidance on the interaction between ISDS and tobacco control. The ISDS action by Philip Morris against Uruguay in respect to graphic health warnings raised important procedural and substantive issues. The ISDS matter between Philip Morris and Australia over the plain packaging of tobacco products highlighted matters in respect of abuse of process. In the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), there was a special exclusion for tobacco control measures in respect of ISDS. There was also a larger discussion about the role of general public health exceptions. In the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), there was a debate about the application of ISDS to intellectual property rights. In the European Union, there has been discussion of the creation of an international investment court. In the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), there has even been calls to abolish ISDS clauses altogether from both Republicans and Democrats. This article concludes there is a need to protect tobacco control measures implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2003 from further investor and trade challenges.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 134s-134s
Author(s):  
M. Coutinho Marques de Pinho ◽  
C. Abreu Perez ◽  
C. Galhardo Ferreira Vianna

Background and context: In April 2017, National Agency for Health Surveillance (Anvisa) launched a public consultation for the revision of Resolution Number 335/2003, on health warning labels. Aim: A group of representatives from civil society and tobacco control advocates in Brazil met in person and virtually to make contributions to the Anvisa´s proposal for new health warning label for tobacco products packages, considering the civil rights for participation and collaboration to Brazilian policies provided by public consultation. Strategy/Tactics: The advocates and researches consulted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization and its Guideline for Article 11 (Packaging and Labeling of Tobacco Products) implementation adopted in 2008 based on scientific studies and successful experiences in other countries. In addition, international researchers and representatives of international institutions were also consulted to collect successful examples of health warnings in the world. Program/Policy process: In October 2017, the Anvisa Board of Directors at a public ordinary meeting approved the new health warnings and in December of the same year, published the new resolution about it. Outcomes: In a comparative analysis, even if all the recommendations made in the CP have not been complied with, the influence of the contributions of the group of tobacco control advocates to the final version of the warnings is evident. The main contributions considered by Anvisa were: 1) to increase the effectiveness of the health warnings using colored images instead of black and white images, 2) the use of yellow in the upper and lower tiers was also one of the points suggested by the group, and 3) the concept proposed by the group for side warnings was fully complied. What was learned: Civil society participation for the agency´s public policy implementation process is essential and has been possible through the regulatory agenda, public consultations and regular public meetings. However, as is expected, the regulated sector has been quite active. The group recognizes the importance of the Anvisa measure in proposing new health warnings, however, significant recommendations have not been adopted and it may interfere with the goals of the measure. Anvisa´s strategy of allowing the social participation is essential, in accordance with Universal Health System principles and must be maintained. Regarding to the next health warnings and messages on packages of tobacco products, it would be greater to consider higher frequency of updating the images and recover the scientific process of development of the 3rd round of health warnings labels coordinated by the National Institute of Cancer in 2007/2008.


Author(s):  
Jennifer McGowan ◽  
Lion Shahab

Worldwide, tobacco use is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. However, the health effects of smoking are reversible, making smoking cessation an important target for public health policy. Tobacco control is a field of public health science dedicated to reducing tobacco use and, thereby, to reducing cigarette-related morbidity and mortality. For tobacco control to be effective, it is necessary for policy makers to understand the personal and interpersonal factors which encourage people to smoke, factors which motivate smokers to quit (e.g., health, social pressure, cost), and the personal and population-level methods that are most effective at encouraging and prolonging attempts to quit. Research has identified that social norms, mental health, and individual personality factors are most associated with smoking uptake, so interventions which reduce social smoking (e.g., smoking bans, plain packaging) would be most effective at preventing uptake. Conversely, the use of cigarettes is maintained by nicotine addiction and attempts to quit are often motivated by health concerns, social pressure and the cost of tobacco products. As such, interventions that address physiological and behavioral addiction inherent in tobacco product use (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy combined with counselling), that create social pressure to stop (e.g., mass media campaigns), or that increase the cost of tobacco products are most likely to be effective at encouraging attempts to quit.


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