Awareness Of Cigarettes And Other Tobacco Products (Cotpa) Act Among Tobacco Retailers In A City Of North Karnataka: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco is a global epidemic killing around 8 million people worldwide. Tobacco smoking is associated with many health hazards and can affect multiple systems involving almost all the organs. First hand smoke accounts to 7 million deaths, whereas second hand smoke claims 1.2 million innocent lives. Second hand smoke is quickly emerging to be a public health concern as it equally affects the organ systems much like first hand smoke and there are no safety limits to second hand smoke exposure. The primary concern of smoke-free laws is to protect individuals from the ill effects of second hand smoke, encourage smokers to quit smoking, all the while without affecting trade. In India, The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA) is the principal law governing tobacco control. It lays out various rules and regulations pertaining to tobacco manufacture, trade & retail, packaging, labelling, selling, and consumption under various sections. Tobacco retailers play a crucial role in this chain of tobacco use, and hence should be aware of the laws on tobacco use. The role of availability and accessibility of Tobacco point of sales (POS) is undeniable in increased smoking rates of adolescents and minors. Not many studies conducted in India explored the tobacco retailers’ awareness and their compliance to COTPA act. Hence our study aims to assess their awareness and compliance to various sections under the Act, their tobacco consumption pattern and socio-demographic profile. Objectives: Primary Objective – To assess the level of awareness of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) among the tobacco product retailers. Secondary Objective – To assess the implementation status of COTPA act by the tobacco product retailers.