National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP)

Government of India launched the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the year 2007-08, with the aim to (i) create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, (ii) reduce the production and supply of tobacco products, (iii) ensure effective implementation of the provisions under “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003” (COTPA) (iv) help the people quit tobacco use, and (v) facilitate implementation of strategies for prevention and control of tobacco advocated by WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control . 

  The main thrust areas for the NTCP are as under :  

(i)    Training of health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers, and enforcement officers;
(ii)     Information, education, and communication (IEC) activities; 
(iii)     School programmes; 
(iv)    Monitoring of tobacco control laws;
(v)    Coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions for village level activities; 
(vi)    Setting-up and strengthening of cessation facilities including provision of pharmacological treatment facilities at district level.

NTCP will be implemented through a three-tier structure i.e. (i) National Tobacco Control Cell (ii) State Tobacco Control Cell & (iii) District Tobacco Control Cell [subsumed in the flexipool for Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) under the National Health Mission (NHM)].

The District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) shall be established in a district under the umbrella of the District Health Society.

  Activities of District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC)  

1. Training and Capacity Building of relevant Stakeholders:Target Trainees: Doctors, Nurses, Community Health Workers, ASHAs, Civil Society Organizations, NCC, NSSO, IMA, IDA, Teachers, officials from Enforcement Departments like Police, Food Authorities, Municipal officers etc
2. School Awareness Programmes: School awareness programmes should be conducted to help the youth and the adolescents to acquire the knowledge, and understand the consequences of tobacco use.
3. NGOs working on tobacco control issues or health programmes may be identified by DTCC and engaged for implementing the school programmes
4. Setting up and expansion of tobacco cessation facilities: tobacco cessation centers/services, should be to identify a proper place - preferably, it should be in the district hospital. To provide regular tobacco cessation services in OPD in district hospital where those who want to quit can be referred and counseled as per a set protocol.
5. Information, Education and Communication (IEC)/ Media Campaign: The District Tobacco Control Cell should use a mix of media methods to reach different target audience through health meals, billboards, hand bills, posters, street plays, local cable network, wall writings, traditional/folk media etc.
6. Monitoring the enforcement of Tobacco Control Law: Every district should have enforcement squads/ teams that will be responsible for regular enforcement drives/raids to monitor any violation of the provisions of COTPA (The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products, Prohibition of Advertisements and Regulations of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution Act)2003.

For Details for act 2003 CLICK here.