Role of Government and Civil Society in Tobacco Control

Role of Government Tobacco Control is a complex issue and not just implementation of the legislation.

Role of Government Tobacco is different from many other health challenges It is a multi-pronged strategy where many government departments need to work collectively for an Effective Tobacco Control

Role of Government In India , many government ministries and departments are associated directly or indirectly with tobacco problem and its control

Role of Government Directly Involved Agriculture Industry Forest and Environment Labour Commerce Revenue and Finance Social Welfare Health Indirectly Involved Education Women and Child Welfare Environment Tourism Transport : Air , Rail, Surface Enforcement like Police ,Excise ,Sales Tax ,others

Each of these departments has important role to play

Role of Government Agriculture Ministry : Existing Role: Promotes tobacco cultivation and manages tobacco agriculture extension programme Expected Role : To convince and assist farmers to grow alternative crops

Role of Government Ministry of Commerce and Industry Existing Role: Controls Tobacco Board of India and CTRI ( Rajamundry) and directs exports Expected Role : To reduce production of tobacco , alternative crops , monitor area under cultivation , ceiling on exports of tobacco

Role of Government Ministry of Labour and Employment Existing Role: Regulates labour standard , child labour law enforcement ; administers the Bidi Welfare fund Expected Role : Ensure strict enforcement of these laws so that there is no abuse of these laws / exploitation

Role of Government Revenue and Finance Existing Role : Important player to decide on Taxes on Tobacco products Expected Role : To raise taxes on all tobacco products uniformally

Role of Government Health Ministry - Implementation of NTCP - To coordinate with other departments and Civil society for effective legislation and implementation - State Strengthening - To support research - Capacity Building - Monitoring and Evaluation

Role of Government Ministry of Environment and Forests Existing Role : Regulates tendu leave production , provides concessional fuel wood for curing tobacco Expected Role : No concessional wood to tobacco industry

Role of Civil Society in Tobacco Control

Traditional & Most Common Awareness Awareness is one of the steps probably first one but it may or may not bring desirable changes.

Changed Role

NGOs and Tobacco Control The first tobacco control law in France, adopted in 1976 and known as the "loi Veil", or Veil law gave the right to NGOs specialising in tobacco control to launch legal action if the law was not respected. This right was confirmed in the Evin law of 1991, and even extended to consumers’ rights and families’ rights associations in public health legislation in 2004.

Why they did so ? and Why it is needed Every where ?

Because the government in each country is grappling with economic and political Issues and interests related to tobacco.

Here the role of civil societies becomes pertinent as these groups advocate for regulating tobacco products, raising awareness among the masses , demand regulation and litigate against other issues related to tobacco.

NGOs- Government Partnership NGOs can play vital role for effective policy implementation as : Participants and Collaborators Legitimizers Watch Dogs / Whistle Blowers

NGO-Government Participation History Advocacy efforts by AFTC and support by its members in tabling the COTPA 2003 in the Parliament Letters of the support ,affirmation statement on tobacco control Bill on behalf of 11 NGOs to the HM were released on daily basis Articles , press releases , interviews and editorials were planned to support the bill continued for about a month A Press Conference was also organized in Delhi with representation from AFTC members present in Delhi at that time: April 18, 2003.

NGOs as Participants and Collaborators Framework Convention Alliance( FCA) and Advocacy Forum for Tobacco Control( AFTC) Participation in development of legislations Participation in strengthening national and international policies like cross border issues Participation in development of pack warnings Implementation of the Act Training for law enforcers Assist in Capacity building of CSOs/ other NGOs

NGOs as Legitimizers As Rights Activists Provide Impetus for Policy Initiatives Burning Brain Society, an NGO filed a PIL in high court to restrain GPI –Godfrey Phillips India's award function as it promoted and advertised its cigarette brand “Red and White”. VOICE filed a complaint against the ITC’s organized contest on television that intended to advertise their brand and promote use of cigarettes. VHAI filed a petition in the high court against surrogate advertising by tobacco companies by way of sponsorship of sports (Indian cricket team) by Wills

NGOs as Watchdogs and Whistle Blowers Monitor violations by Tobacco Industry on - Ban on direct and indirect advertisements - Point of sale advertisements - Rules on pack warnings Monitor Implementation of various provisions of the Act by the government agencies Monitor effective implementation of the law by the stake-holders including hospitality sector Report specific violations and file litigations with constant follow up of cases

Violations observed in India Sale to/by minors and display Point of sale boards Film Billboards Smoking at public places

NGO-Government Partnership Therefore to increase the participation: *NGOs actively assist the government in the implementation of the Indian Tobacco Control Act *State Governments should involve these NGOs for capacity building workshops at State level for law enforcers or for other NGOs and professional groups. *State Governments must empower these NGOs to take active charge of recording and acting on violations of the law.

How NGOs can contribute? NGOs can compensate for the lack of resources of the government to monitor and enforce legislation. NGOs can develop a whole jurisprudence about the advertising ban, health warnings and non-smoker’s rights, which greatly contributes to strengthening the legislation and ensuring its comprehensive enforcement. Experience shows that legal actions put the tobacco companies in an uncomfortable situation, a kind of insecurity

How NGOs can contribute? Assist in Capacity building of lawyers at the State and District levels in tobacco control. To sensitize stake-holders about the existence of the smoke free laws in the country Watchdog Campaign to monitor violations

Long way to go……

Few Pictures….

Capacity building Sensitization ( for top officials eg. collectors and state officers) Orientation (Departmental heads and other enforcement officials)

Capacity building cont.. Trainings ( For specific group identified/ nominated and formed) (Duration, purpose involvement and expectation different)

Liaison Contact with government officials IPC with public representatives Regular contact with various stakeholders

I E C Development of correct, need based and specific target oriented IEC material and strategy

IEC material

IG Police Indore in a Signature Campaign Awareness Programs IG Police Indore in a Signature Campaign Shatrughan Sinha in an awareness program State Minister of Health releasing the poster on tobacco Smokefree Police stations declaration by SSP Indore

Advocacy Evidence based Advocacy Building Public Opinion Media advocacy RTI and PIL

Media Advocacy

Let us all work together for a Healthy Tobacco free INDIA Thank You 40