GOI Initiatives > Enforcement Agencies and Mechanisms for the COTPA

• Any police officer, not below the rank of Sub-Inspector
• Any officer of State Food or Drug Administration
• Any other officer, holding the equivalent rank being not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police

An officer authorized by the central/state government can fine or punish the violators under the following circumstances:

• A sum of Rs.200/- can be charged for smoking in public places and for sale of tobacco products to minor.
• A sum up to Rs. 1000 or the maximum of 2 years of imprisonment for direct and indirect advertising of tobacco product. In subsequent offence, imprisonment can move up to 5 years along with fine of Rs. 5000.

The Government. Of India (GOI) for the year 2007-208, has allocated approx. USD 8 million (Rs 40 crores) for tobacco control. A pilot plan for the National Tobacco Control Program has been launched. A structure chart of the plan is attached below.

The Ministry of health and family welfare would appoint a State Tobacco Control Cell were the State Tobacco Coordination Committee’s Chair would be the Health Secretary. All the States and Union Territories are proposed to be covered in the programme. A total of 2 districts have been proposed that would be covered in the pilot Tobacco Control Units which will be set up in each district in Government Medical Colleges / Regional Cancer Centres and District Hospitals

The Components of the proposed District Tobacco Control Unit Programme that would look into the following areas of intervention:

•Training: Training of School teachers, health workers, health professionals, law enforcers, NGO’s, women SHG’s on tobacco control in the districts

•IEC: Using Cable TV channels, Nukkad/Street Corner Shows, Exhibitions, Melas, etc in regional languages at the grassroot level. Also arranging anti- tobacco awareness programs with the help of trained Women SHG/ NGO’s. Utilization all channels of communication to disseminate information.

•School Programs: School Programme for Govt. Schools with the help of NGOs to disseminate information on tobacco and arranging capacity building workshops with an aim to generate maximum awareness. In the pilot plan, it is proposed to take up at least 50 Schools per district.

•Monitoring Enforcement of Tobacco Control Laws

•Tobacco Cessation Centers (TCC): Setting up of TCC’s in Districts

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