Compliance of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003:A Baseline Survey in Vijayapura District of North Karnataka

Introduction: According to WHO, tobacco use is considered a single most preventable cause of death. According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2009-10, almost 1 in every 2 adult males and 1 in 5 adult females use tobacco in some form in India. In 2003, the Government of India enacted comprehensive legislation for tobacco control called the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA). The purpose of the COTP Act is fulfilled only when the community takes participation in its strict implementation.

Objectives: To measure the level of compliance to COTPA-2003 in Vijayapura district of North Karnataka.

Method: A cross sectional survey was planned to assess the implementation of COTPA 2003 in Vijayapura district by using structured Interview method for a period of two months. Around 250 places were assessed in five taluka head quarters each of the district by using proforma based on the regulations given in Section 4, 5, 6a, 6b, 7,8,9 of COTPA 2003.

Results: Implementation level found in the district was 30% for section-4, 84% for section-5, 92% for section-6a, for 64% section-6b and 99% for section-7, 8, 9.

Conclusions: COTPA includes measures that are intended to protect residents from exposure to secondhand smoke, to significantly restrict tobacco advertising and to eliminate easy access to tobacco products by youth. The COTPA-2003 implementation in all the taluka headquarters of district is found less as expected. The reason may be less awareness regarding the act & the punishment followed after violation.