National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP)

Government of India launched the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the year 2007-08 during the 11th Five-Year-Plan, 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 the people quit tobacco use, and (v) facilitate implementation of strategies for prevention and control of tobacco advocated by WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.

During the 11th Five Year Plan, NTCP was implemented in 21 states covering 42 districts. To carry forward the momentum generated by the NTCP during the 11th Five Year Plan and baseline data generated through the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India 2009-2010, indicating high level of prevalence of tobacco use, it was upscaled in the 12th Five Year Plan with a goal to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use by 5% by the end of the 12th FYP. As per the second round of GATS, the number of tobacco users has reduced by about 81 lakh (8.1 million).

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;
3. School programmes;
4. Monitoring of tobacco control laws;
5. Coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions for village level activities;
6. 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.

For downloading State-wise list with Districts under NTCP, click here

National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC)

The National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is responsible for overall policy formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the different activities envisaged under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). The National Cell functions under the direct guidance and supervision of the programme in-charge from the MoHFW i.e. Joint Secretary. The technical assistance is provided by the identified officers in the Directorate General of Health Services.

The programme broadly envisages;

National level:

1. Public awareness/mass media campaigns for awareness building and behavioural change
2. Establishment of tobacco product testing laboratories.National level:
3. Mainstreaming research and training on alternative crops and livelihood with other nodal Ministries.
4. Monitoring and evaluation including surveillance
5. 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;

1. State Level Advocacy Workshop
2. Training of Trainers Programme for staff appointed at DTCC under NTCP.
3. Refresher training of the DTCC staff.
4. Training on tobacco cessation for Health care providers.
5. 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;

1. Training of Key stakeholders: health and social workers, NGOs, school teachers, enforcement officers etc.
2. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.
3. School Programmes.
4. Monitoring tobacco control laws.
5. Setting-up and strengthening of cessation facilities including provision of pharmacological treatment facilities at the district level.
6. Co-ordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions for inculcating concept of tobacco control at the grassroots.

For more details visit link Operational Guidelines NTCP.pdf