Why in news?

• World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a report on tobacco control measures recently.
• This was the ninth WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic. It tracks the progress made by countries in tobacco control since 2008.
  • In 2008, WHO had developed the MPOWER measures to help countries implement the demand-reduction measures of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
  • MPOWER measures include:
    • monitor tobacco use and prevention policies;
    • protect people from tobacco smoke;
    • offer help to quit tobacco;
    • warn about dangers of tobacco;
    • enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and
    • raise taxes on tobacco products.

What’s in today’s article?

• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
• News Summary

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

• About
  • The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is an international treaty adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003.
  • It is designed to address the global health risks associated with tobacco use and to provide a comprehensive framework for governments and organizations to implement effective tobacco control policies and strategies.
  • The FCTC recognizes that tobacco use is a major public health concern, causing numerous preventable deaths and illnesses worldwide.
  • The FCTC operates as a legally binding treaty.
    • It means that countries that have ratified it are obligated to implement the measures outlined in the convention within their national jurisdictions.
• Objective
  • Reduce tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.
  • Protect people from the health risks associated with tobacco use.
  • Implement measures to provide information, education, and communication about tobacco-related issues.
  • Regulate tobacco product packaging and labeling.
  • Ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
  • Increase taxes on tobacco products to reduce their affordability.
  • Support efforts to help people quit tobacco use.
  • Address issues related to illicit trade of tobacco products.

News Summary: WHO report on tobacco control

What does the report say?

• Population coverage
  • In the 15 years since the MPOWER measures were first introduced, 5.6 billion people in the world – or 71% of the entire population – remain protected by at least one of the measures.
  • This has increased from just 5% of the population in 2008.
• Number of countries implementing MPOWER measure
  • The number of countries implementing at least one MPOWER measure has increased from 44 countries in 2008 to 151 in 2022.
  • At least four countries – Brazil, Turkiye, Netherlands, and Mauritius – have implemented all the measures.
  • There are at least 44 countries in the world that still do not implement any MPOWER measure.
• Flagged the dangers of e-cigarettes
  • E-cigarettes are harmful to both the people using them and those around them, especially when used indoors.
  • The tobacco industry is aggressively promoting E-cigarettes as a safer alternative to cigarettes.
  • This is undermining the progress made on tobacco control.
• On controlling second-hand smoking
  • The report focuses on controlling second-hand smoking (being in the presence of someone who is smoking).
  • It talks of creating smoke-free public areas and also de-normalising the act of smoking in the society.
  • Of the estimated 8.7 million tobacco-related deaths each year, 1.3 million are of non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
  • 
  • The report also adds that severe asthma, respiratory tract infections, and sudden infant death syndrome are more common among children exposed to second-hand smoke.

How does India fare?

• India has the highest level of achievement when it comes to putting health warning labels on tobacco products and providing tobacco dependence treatment.
• With 85% of cigarette packs carrying health warnings both on the front and back, India figures among the top 10 countries in terms of the size of health warnings.
• The cigarette packets in the country also carry a toll-free number for a quit-line.

Laudable steps taken by India

• Warnings on OTT platform
  • One of the biggest steps in the works is implementing warnings on OTT platform content when actors are seen using tobacco products.
  • This would make India the first country in the world to do so.
• Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003
  • It regulates the advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products, prohibits smoking in public places, mandates pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packaging, and sets rules for the sale of tobacco products to minors.
• Pictorial Health Warnings
  • India has implemented prominent and graphic pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packaging.
• Ban on Smoking in Public Places
  • COTPA prohibits smoking in public places, including indoor areas, workplaces, and public transportation.
• Tobacco Advertising and Promotion
  • India has restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
  • Direct and indirect advertising of tobacco products, as well as tobacco sponsorship of events, are regulated to discourage tobacco consumption.
• Tobacco Taxation:
  • The Indian government has periodically increased taxes on tobacco products to make them less affordable and discourage consumption.
• National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP)
  • India established the NTCP to implement tobacco control strategies at the national, state, and district levels.
  • The program focuses on awareness generation, capacity-building, and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.