Programme and policy perspectives towards a tobacco-free generation in India: findings from a qualitative study

Bassi, Shalini; Arora, Monika; Thapliyal, Nishibha; Kulkarni, Muralidhar M.; Bhagawath, Rohith; Bogdanovica, Ilze; Kamath, Veena G.; Britton, John; Bains, Manpreet

Abstract

Objective
This study explored multistakeholder perspectives on existing adolescent-specific tobacco control policies and programmes, to advance India’s transition towards a tobacco-free generation.

Design
Qualitative semi-structured interviews.

Setting
Interviews were conducted with officials involved in tobacco control at the national (India), state (Karnataka), district (Udupi) and village level. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Participants
Thirty-eight individuals representing national (n=9), state (n=9), district (n=14) and village (n=6) levels, participated.

Results
The study findings highlighted the need to strengthen and amend the existing Tobacco Control Law (2003) provisions, particularly in the vicinity of schools (Sections 6a and 6b). Increasing the minimum legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21 years, developing an ‘application’ for ‘compliance and monitoring indicators’ in Tobacco-Free Educational Institution guidelines were proposed. Policies to address smokeless tobacco use, stricter enforcement including regular monitoring of existing programmes, and robust evaluation of policies was underscored. Engaging adolescents to co-create interventions was advocated, along with integrating national tobacco control programmes into existing school and adolescent health programmes, using both an intersectoral and whole-societal approach to prevent tobacco use, were recommended. Finally, stakeholders mentioned that when drafting and implementing a comprehensive national tobacco control policy, there is a need to adopt a vision striving toward a tobacco-free generation.

Conclusion
Strengthening and developing tobacco control programmes and policies are warranted which are monitored and evaluated rigorously, and where adolescents should be involved, accordingly.

Citation

Bassi, S., Arora, M., Thapliyal, N., Kulkarni, M. M., Bhagawath, R., Bogdanovica, I., Kamath, V. G., Britton, J., & Bains, M. (2023). Programme and policy perspectives towards a tobacco-free generation in India: findings from a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 13(7), Article e067779. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067779

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 29, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 7, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Deposit Date: Jul 11, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 11, 2023
• Journal: BMJ Open
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-6055
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: e067779
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067779
• Keywords: General Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/22993038
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bassi S, Arora M, Thapliyal N, et alProgramme and policy perspectives towards a tobacco-free generation in India: findings from a qualitative studyBMJ Open 2023;13:e067779, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067779).