COTPA implementation status: An observational study in South Indian city

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Tobacco Control

Background:

• Tobacco use causes over 22,000 daily global deaths, as highlighted by the WHO.
• India enacted the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in 2003 to regulate tobacco products.
• Despite legislative efforts, tobacco use in India has not significantly decreased.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess compliance levels with Sections 4-10 of the COTPA in urban Puducherry.
• To identify specific areas of non-compliance with tobacco control regulations.

Main Methods:

• A random sample survey was conducted across 13 wards in Puducherry.
• Data collection involved a pre-tested checklist for public places and points of sale (PoS).
• Statistical and spatial analyses were performed using STATA v12.0 and QGIS v2.14.21.

Main Results:

• Overall COTPA compliance was found to be very low.
• Compliance rates: 8% in public places, 0% at PoS, 1.7% in educational institutions, and 48% for tobacco packages.
• Public place compliance varied significantly, from 0% at bus stops to 55% at religious places.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for improved enforcement of COTPA in urban Puducherry.
• Periodic monitoring is essential to ensure effective implementation of tobacco control laws.
• Strengthening enforcement mechanisms can help reduce tobacco-related harm.