Compliance of cigarettes and other tobacco products act among tobacco vendors, educational institutions, and public places in Bengaluru City

Abstract

Background: Tobacco has been the arch criminal of most head-and-neck cancers in the world. Many laws have been implemented to control this menace, but still this slow poison persists. Effectiveness of these laws has always been a matter of concern to the authorities. The present study was conducted to observe the compliance of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) among public places, educational institutions, and tobacco vendors in Bengaluru city. Methodology: A cross-sectional, observational study was done to assess the violations at public places, educational institutions, and tobacco vendors. Violations for Sections 4, 5, 6, and 7 of COTPA were assessed from 25 each of these places in the eight zones of Bengaluru city. The study areas were chosen by convenience sampling method, and using a questionnaire, the violations were recorded. Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel to find out the percentage of violations. Results: The COTPA Sections 4 and 5 violation was 134 (67%) and 94 (47%), respectively. A total of 124 (62%) of the educational institutions had tobacco vendors within 100 yards, and only 30 (15%) had signboard for the prohibition of tobacco use. Around 14 tobacco vendors had beedis without proper pictorial warning with them which violated Section 7 of COTPA. Conclusion: For proper implementation of COTPA laws, we should create awareness about the laws, what amounts to violations and also the health hazards to tobacco use among general population. The law enforcing personnel should act on those who violate the law. There is a need for a sensitization workshop and advocacy for all the stakeholders.