Transport services in Kerala to become tobacco smoke-free and COTPA compliant

After becoming India’s first tobacco advertisement-free state, Kerala is fast heading to be the first in the country to have its transport services free from the noxious, carbon-monoxide laden tobacco smoke. A series of far-reaching directions issued under the leadership of Hon’ble Kerala Transport Minister Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan by the surface and water transport wings in the last couple of months are significant in propelling Kerala to the forefront in public health.

 

In compliance with the provisions of Indian tobacco control law COTPA, 2003, the Transport Commissioner Smt R Sreelekha has issued directions to all Deputy Transport Commissioners, Regional Transport Officers and Joint Regional Transport Officers to take action against any instances of smoking in public conveyances, bus depots and transport bus stands.

 

Officials including and above Ticket Conductors/Collectors have been authorised under COTPA to fine smokers in public conveyances. Violations can invite a fine of up to Rs 200.

 

Pictorial ‘No Smoking’ signages have to be displayed in all public vehicles at a prominent place, as mandated by Section 4 of the Act. Inspections for vehicle registration and fitness certificate issuance will check that the said pictorial signages are exhibited in the vehicle.

 

Similarly, directions have been issued to ensure that there are no direct and indirect advertisements, sponsorship of tobacco products on public conveyances, as mandated by Section 5 of COTPA.

 

Transport Commissioner has also ordered that offences under COTPA – violations of Section 4 and 5 – will form part of the monthly checking report of the Department. These directions are binding on all public conveyances including autos, taxis, and private buses.

 

Smt Sreelekha said, “The World Health Organisation has said that only 100 per cent smoke-free environments will adequately protect the public from dangers of second-hand smoke. We are determined to create a healthy and safe public transport in Kerala and are in the process of creating sustainable and transparent systems of implementation.”

 

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has strictly prohibited smoking and sale of tobacco products in all their buses, bus stations, and offices. All Unit Heads have been directed to ensure that no tobacco products are sold in any stall or canteen inside KSRTC depots and ‘No Smoking Area’ boards placed in all KSRTC bus stations.

 

All serviceable boats under the State Water Transport Department in Kerala have displayed ‘No Smoking’ signages as a measure of warning and protecting passengers from the ills of tobacco smoke. Special squads have been formed to inspect any cases of smoking onboard.

 

Railways have also implemented a ban on smoking and Kerala Railway Police and Railway Protection Force have been keeping a strict vigil on smoking in trains.

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Rajasthan Health Department to make brothers quit tobacco through Rakhi vows

Bringing in innovation to tobacco control, the Rajasthan Government is using Raksha Bandhan - an ancient Hindu festival that ritually celebrates the love and duty between brothers and their sisters - to curb tobacco use.

Ahead of 'Raksha Bandhan' festival, Rajasthan government launched a special anti-tobacco campaign asking girls to make their brothers to take a pledge not to consume tobacco.

Girls after tying Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers should ask them to write a sworn statement that they will not consume tobacco, Health Minister Rajendra Rathore said while launching the campaign.


"The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness among people at all levels against the use of tobacco," he said. 

To participate in the campaign,  girls need to click a selfie with their brothers along with the written oath and email it to the medical and health department, the Minister said.



Image courtesy Sikh Heritage

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WHO calls for complete tobacco smoke-free environments

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called upon Governments to enact and enforce comprehensive smoke-free laws to protect people from the harms of second-hand tobacco smoke. Smoke-free laws are relatively easy to pass and enforce. Besides improving health, they are also business friendly, says the new WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2015.

The Report, which coincides with the 10^th anniversary of coming into force of the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), also calls for decisive action by countries to end tobacco use – an epidemic that is a significant hurdle to development gains worldwide.

Smoke-free laws and environments find favour with both smokers and non-smokers as it improves the health of both these groups, besides encouraging smokers to reduce tobacco use and quit successfully in the long-term.

Scientific evidence has long proven that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke – the smoke emanating from a smoker. Its exposure leads to serious and often fatal diseases, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease as well as lung and other cancers. Children, foetuses, and newborns may also suffer severe, long-term harm – or even die due to second-hand smoke exposure.

Over 1.3 billion people across the world were covered by strong and comprehensive smoke-free legislation in 2014 – an increase of about 200 million since 2012, the Report says pointing out to the popularity of these laws. A total of 49 countries have implemented smoke-free laws covering all public places and workplaces.

Globally, educational facilities are the best-protected public place with two thirds of countries legislating such a ban, followed closely by health facilities. Employees and patrons of restaurants, pubs and bars have the lowest level of protection from second-hand smoke, according to the Report, the fifth in the series of WHO reports on the global tobacco epidemic.  

“Political will, coupled with effective enforcement, can sharply reduce smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke in all venues where smoking is outlawed”, the Report notes giving highlighted mention to Russia – a trendsetting country by becoming 100 per cent smoke-free.

In less than three years, the country not just passed and implemented its 2013 legislation but also demonstrated that smoke-free laws do not hit businesses. Compliance monitoring six months after the law was extended to cover restaurants, cafes, and bars revealed an overall increase in business in these establishments year-on-year.  The setting up of required ‘no smoking’ signages in all public places played a significant part in achieving the smoke-free status.

The WHO has described Indian tobacco control law COTPA, 2003 as a comprehensive legislation consistent with the FCTC for protecting the public, especially the youth, from tobacco harms.

It hails India’s National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) as the cornerstone for advancing tobacco control in a large and complex tobacco producing country and an excellent model for replication. The NTCP, piloted in 2007 to enforce COTPA and to build awareness on tobacco harms, is now being expanded to cover all 36 states and 672 districts in phases between 2012 and 2017.

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