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Tobacco consumption in any form is deadly. In 2010, tobacco will kill 6 million people, 72% of whom reside in low and middle income countries. According to the WHO, India will have the fastest rate of rise in deaths attributed to tobacco. In India, multiple forms of tobacco are marketed and consumed – all of them have serious health consequences in the form of many serious diseases and avoidable early death. Recognizing the adverse effects of tobacco the Government of India has passed the COTPA, Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 and the Smoke Free Public Places Rules 2008.
Tobacco control is one of the chief areas of interest for CFI as tobacco consumption claims around 1 million lives per year in India. In West Bengal more than 75% of the population use some form of tobacco and maximum number of lung cancers are also reported from this state.
CFI focuses on advocacy with the State Government, Departments of Health and Family Welfare, holding sensitization workshops with members of legislative assembly, public health officials, media, schools, colleges, to generate awareness about tobacco, laws and its implementation.
Sensitization Meeting on Tobacco Control Laws for Dept. of Health & Family Welfare
 On Behalf of: Government of West Bengal
Period: January 9, 2009
Coordinator: Sutapa Biswas
Location: Swasthya Bhawan, Kolkata
Press Meet on Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008
On Behalf of: Voluntary Health Association of India, New Delhi
Period: September 24, 2008
Coordinator: Sutapa Biswas
Location: Kolkata
World No Tobacco Day 2010
Date: May 31, 2010
Venue: Calcutta Medical College, Kolkata
CFI had undertaken several smokefree initiatives in past. One such was to make the Calcutta Medical College campus smokefree. On WNTD 2010, CFI participated actively in the programme organized by Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College, Kolkata to declare itself as a “No Tobacco Hospital” and also inaugurated a Smoking Cessation clinic in collaboration with the Dept. of Psychiatry. They conducted a “No Tobacco” rally around central Kolkata.
World Health day 2010
Date: April 07, 2010
Venue: Birla Industrial and Technological Museum
To celebrate World Health Day the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum had arranged for a small programme for school children, teachers and parents. CFI had been requested to host a programme to spread awareness about tobacco related cancers. Dr. T. Reza (member of CIAT) gave a wonderful and enriching speech on ill effects of tobacco consumption. Mr. R. Waaris ( member of CIAT) conducted a tobacco quiz in which all the school children participated with utmost zeal and enthusiasm. A poster painting completion was also held.
1st Workshops on Tobacco Control Laws (COTPA 2003) for Kolkata Police
Date: May 8, 2010
Venue:Commissioner’s Briefing Room, Kolkata Police Headquarters, Lalbazar
CFI conducted an advocacy workshop on tobacco laws in collaboration with the Kolkata Police. The workshop was attended by 42 senior police officers i.e OCs of 19 police stations, Additional OCs of 9 sections, DCs of 5 police departments and 6 Senior In-charge from Detective Department (Narcotics). The objective of the workshop was to sensitise the officers about the provisions of the law and also their role in enforcing it. The first set of challan and receipt books were distributed.
2nd Workshops on Tobacco Control Laws (COTPA 2003) for Kolkata Police
Date: May 15, 2010
Venue:Commissioner’s Briefing Room, Kolkata Police Headquarters, Lalbazar
The second of the series of advocacy workshops was conducted by CFI in collaboration with the Kolkata Police. The workshop was attended by 35 senior officials i.e OCs of 11 sections, Additional OCs of 12 sections, 1 sub inspector, ACs of 3 departments and 6 Senior In-charge from DD, (Narcotics). The objective of the workshop was to sensitise the officers about the provisions of the law and also their role in enforcing it. The second set of challan and receipt books were distributed.
Press Conferences:
Time: 2.30 pm to 4 pm
Date: February 2, 2009
Venue: Press Club, Kolkata
The press release of AQM Study report was organized by CFI at the Press club of Kolkata. Thirty Five members of the present were present. The event started with an introduction by the Project Associate which was followed by a presentation on COTPA and the rationale behind conducting The AQM study. Dr Bhatnagar from VHAI gave a presentation encompassing the health effects of second hand smoke and tobacco use. Data from other states conducting the AQM and a comparative analysis of smoking and non smoking places among the 16 places (restaurants/ bars / coffee shops) visited in Kolkata. The press had plenty of queries to be answered in the interactive Q& A session that followed. Question ranged from the method of selection of the public places to data related to other cities. Most were concerned how Kolkata fared in comparison to other places in the country. The Quests were adeptly answered by the panel. The representatives from Indian Coffee Workers Cooperative Society, came in late but interacted with the media and the resulting media report has been attached herewith. Over all it was a good press conference with good coverage as expected.
 Time: 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Date: March 24, 2010
Venue: Press Club, Kolkata
A press conference was organized at the press club of Kolkata on the 24th of March 2010 from 2.30 to 3.30 pm. It was attended by 23 members of the press. The topic to be disseminated to the media was the new notification on pictorial warnings. Which states that from June 1st 2010 all pictorial warnings in tobacco packets will be rotated to a new warning. The present press were mostly interested to understand the situation of implementation in West Bengal. They wanted to know how effective pictorial warnings were in other countries. When challan's would be issued in Kolkata and the future of tobacco control in the state. Annexure 11
Seminar on Tobacco Control:
Date: September 16, 2009.
Venue: Syed Nausher Ali Hall, Assembly House, Kolkata
CFI conducted a seminar on tobacco control with the Standing Committee of Health and Welfare, West Bengal Legislative Assembly for the members of the Legislative Assembly. The programme was Inauguration by Shri Hashim Abdul Halim, Hon’ble Speaker, WBLA. A Parliamentarian tool kit for tobacco control was released in Bangla.
Smoke Free Swasthya Bhavan
As a result of continuous follow ups and a successful “Ekhane Noy” (Not Here) campaign, Swasthya Bhawan was “Smoke Free” on May 31, 2010.
1st CIAT Meeting
Period: April 11, 2009
Coordinator: Sutapa Biswas
Location: Park Hotel, Kolkata
2st CIAT Meeting
Period: July 10, 2010
Coordinator: Sutapa Biswas
Location:Park Hotel, Kolkata
| Notifications: |
 February 25, 2004 |
September 1, 2004 |
July 22, 2005 |
| September 29, 2005 |
November 30, 2005 |
December 30, 2005 |
| March 1, 2006 |
April 28, 2006 |
July 5, 2006 |
| July 31, 2006 |
September 28, 2006 |
October 18, 2006 |
| October 20, 2006 |
January 24, 2007 |
May 31, 2007 |
| September 29, 2007 |
November 16, 2007 |
November 30, 2007 |
| December 19, 2007 |
March 15, 2008 |
May 30, 2008 |
| August 28, 2008 |
September 29, 2008 |
November 28, 2008 |
| February 27, 2009 |
May 3, 2009 |
September 15, 2009 |
| March 5, 2010 |
May 17, 2010 |
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