Government of India launched National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), with the aim to (i) create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, (ii) reduce the production and supply of tobacco products, (iii) ensure effective implementation of the provisions under “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003” (COTPA), (iv) help people quit tobacco use, and (v) facilitate implementation of strategies for prevention and control of tobacco advocated by WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control .

The main thrust areas for the NTCP are as under:

1. Training of health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers, and enforcement officers;
2. Information, education, and communication (IEC) activities;

• School programmes;

1. Monitoring of tobacco control laws;
2. Coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions for village level activities;
3. Setting-up and strengthening of cessation facilities including provision of pharmacological treatment facilities at district level.

NTCP is implemented through a three-tier structure, i.e. (i) National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) at Central level (ii) State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) at State level & (iii) District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) at District level. There is also a provision of setting up Tobacco Cessation Services at District level.

NTCP has resulted in provision of dedicated funds and manpower for implementation of the Programme. State/District Tobacco Control components viz. STCC and DTCC Plan have been subsumed in the Flexi-pool for Non- Communicable Disease (NCDs) under National Health Mission (NHM) for effective implementation since 12th Five Year Plan.

Currently, the Programme is being implemented in all 36 States/Union Territories covering around 612 districts across the country.

The programme broadly envisages:

National level:

Public awareness/mass media campaigns for awareness building and behavioural change

Establishment of tobacco product testing laboratories.National level:

Mainstreaming research and training on alternative crops and livelihood with other nodal Ministries.

Monitoring and evaluation including surveillance

Integrating NTCP as a part of health-care delivery mechanism under the National Health Mission framework.

State Level:

Dedicated State Tobacco Control Cells for effective implementation and monitoring of tobacco control initiatives. The ley activities include;

State Level Advocacy Workshop

Training of Trainers Programme for staff appointed at DTCC under NTCP.

Refresher training of the DTCC staff.

Training on tobacco cessation for Health care providers.

Law enforcers training / sensitization Programme

District Level:

Dedicated District Tobacco Control Cells for effective implementation and monitoring of tobacco control initiatives. The key activities include;

Training of Key stakeholders: health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers, enforcement officers etc.

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.

School Programmes.

Monitoring tobacco control laws.

Setting-up and strengthening of cessation facilities including provision of pharmacological treatment facilities at the district level.

Co-ordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions for inculcating concept of tobacco control at the grassroots.