BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Government of India launched National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in 2007-08 to create awareness about harmful effects of tobacco, enforcement of Cigarette and other Tobacco Product Act (COTPA) and reduce tobacco consumption.
The State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) is responsible for overall planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring of activities and achievement of tangible targets under the State Programme.
Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) worked in close association with STCC to remove bottlenecks faced, namely -Poor review and reporting mechanism
Low priority of Tobacco Control (TC)
Lack of COTPA awareness amongst bureaucrats of key departments Inactive multi sectoral enforcement mechanism
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Training of stakeholders and district staff of NTCP
Comprehensive order from Principal Secretary- Home for enforcement, reporting and review of COTPA Training of Master Trainers of Police on COTPA Module included in Police trainings with STCC. Developing sustainable reporting mechanisms for tobacco free educational institutions
Mass media strategy designed for National Health Mission for NTCP. IEC developed by VHAI for NTCP of Uttar Pradesh
RESULTS AND IMPACT: Recognition of VHAI as Technical Partner and letter of appreciation from Director Health, Govt. of UP for strengthening NTCP via valuable technical contribution.
Sensitization of policy makers and bureaucrats of key departments like Education, Police, Food & Drugs Administration & Health and subsequently order was issued for COTPA compliance and reporting
Trained Nodal Officer and staff of District Tobacco Control Cell of 45 Districts in coordination with STCC
15 districts declared tobacco free health facilities, COTPA compliance in educational institutions, police stations, transport, courts & other public places and making tobacco free in coordination with STCC and concerned departments with reference to the orders issued by the department concerned
CONCLUSIONS: Providing technical assistance to strengthen NTCP and address gap areas of STCC has improved effectiveness of TC initiatives of key departments and made it sustainable.