Parliamentarians’ urge to strengthen COTPA & Tobacco Control Policies 

Bhubaneswar (India CSR): In a bid to have a dialogue on various strategies with a focus on strengthening the national and state policies, and building a conducive environment for the reduction in tobacco consumption and improving the public health situation, the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Odisha, an alliance of civil society organizations & concern citizens organized a state-level Consultation program – ‘Improving public health by strengthening COTPA – Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA 2003) and Tobacco Control Policies’ where parliamentarians urged the Govts at Centre & State to take focus action on controlling tobacco consumption in the country and state. 

The panel was chaired by dignitaries including Sj Prasant Kumar Nanda, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha, Sj Mizibulla Khan, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha, Sj Sujeet Kumar, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha (through Video conferencing), Prafulla Kumar Mohanty, VC of Khalikot University, Ranjit Kumar Singh, Advocate Supreme Court, Dr. Krupasindhu Panda, Oncologist, HCG Panda Cancer Hospital and Dr. Minakshi Panda, Educationist & Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, Secretary PECUC. 

Tobacco kills more than 1 million people each year, which accounts for 9.5% of all deaths, says WHO 2018 report. In another report by Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-17, nearly 267 million who are 15 years and above (29%) are tobacco users. Also, 38.7% of adults were exposed to secondhand smoke at home; 30.2% at the workplace; and 7.4% at restaurants. 

In an urge to focus on laws for tobacco display in films and OTT, Prasant Kumar Nanda, Hon’ble MP of Rajya Sabha said, “With the introduction of digital platforms, the exposure to the display of Tobacco has increased. There is no limit to the display of such harmful products, be it cigarettes, tobacco, or alcohol. The OTT platforms specifically are the major platforms to publicize tobacco as there is no censorship to it. I urge the policymakers to come up with laws to prohibit the visualization of tobacco in these mediums as there is no limit to the audience of these platforms” 

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Highlighting tobacco consumption among children, Mizibulla Khan, Hon’ble MP of Rajya Sabha, said “Tobacco and cigarettes are very hazardous to health. Children these days are seen consuming tobacco as it is easily available. They are the future of our nation and protecting them from such hazards is protecting the future. We need to ensure that the children are away from this. I have never consumed tobacco as I understand the consequences of it. For the people of Odisha, I will bring this issue to parliament along with other parliamentarians and do my best to strengthen the tobacco control policies” 

Participating through a video message, Sujeet Kumar, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha, said “I am glad to be a part of the ambitious drive to make Odisha Tobacco Free. I will do my duty as a parliamentarian.” “We need to ensure proper sensitization on damage due to tobacco in schools, colleges and public places and also the law enforcing agencies need to be sensitized to enforce the laws effectively. He said the consultation process will go a long way to achieve the goal. He appealed to all the stakeholders including Panchayat Raj Institution to get involved in this public health issue and make Odisha tobacco-free. “

Cancer survivors named Mr Paramanada Dalei, Mr. Danei Karan and Gagan Sahoo also shared their experiences on how they survived and defeated the tobacco-caused cancer. The Program was further attended by the organization from across the state working on Tobacco control.  

Highlighting the consequences of tobacco consumption, Dr. Krupasindhu Panda, Oncologist, HCG Panda Cancer Hospital said, “Death is a must but we should not die an unnatural death of our own hands. 4Cs are causing unnatural death which is cardiac arrest, casualty, corona and cancer. With tobacco consumption, oral cancer has now become the most common cancer diagnosed among people.” “The health issues caused by tobacco are preterm births, intrauterine growth retardation, prenatal mortality, respiratory illness, neurobehavioral problem, childhood disorder, cancer, depression, etc” he further added. He also suggested remedies for getting rid of tobacco consumption like awareness, a ban on tobacco in the workplace, tobacco policies for laborers, new strategies and development in existing policies.

Ms Anuradha Mohanty, Executive Director of PECUC moderated the consultation.