Syllabus

GS 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: Recently, The WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report was released during the Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control.

Key takeaways from the report:

• The Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report was developed by WHO with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies. 
• It highlights six proven MPOWER measures to help reduce tobacco use worldwide.
• The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its guidelines serve as the main foundation for global tobacco control. 
• To support countries in applying these rules, WHO introduced the MPOWER measures.
• The MPOWER measures are designed to help countries put into action effective steps to reduce tobacco use, as outlined in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). These six key strategies are:
  M – Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
  P – Protect people from tobacco smoke
  O– Offer help to quit tobacco
  W – Warn about the dangers of tobacco
  E – Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship
  R – Raise taxes on tobacco products
• These measures aim to reduce the demand for tobacco and protect public health globally.
• Today, 110 countries use the MPOWER measures, up from just 9 in 2007, helping protect 62% of the world's population. Also, 25 countries have started using plain packaging to reduce tobacco use.

Key Highlights from the Report

• The 2025 report mainly highlights the "W" measure, which is about warning people about the dangers of tobacco. 
• It shows that 6.1 billion people are protected by at least one strong MPOWER measure.
• Four countries have fully implemented all MPOWER measures, and seven others are just one step away.
• However, 40 countries still have not applied any of these measures at the best-practice level.
• The report shows that the biggest progress has been in using graphic health warnings, a key part of the WHO FCTC.
• It also mentions that in 2024, India is one of the countries with the best-quality graphic warning labels on tobacco products.
• India has been in the top group for the ‘W’ measure (warning about tobacco dangers) since 2016.
• For the ‘E’ measure, India has banned both direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
• The WHO report also warns that stronger action is needed to continue progress, as rising interference from the tobacco industry is making control efforts harder.
• However, tobacco taxation (‘R’ measure) remains the least adopted MPOWER step in India.

Measures Taken by India 

• India has taken strong steps to stop tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) across all media, including TV, radio, print and digital platforms.
• To limit tobacco use shown in entertainment, the government introduced the Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules in 2012, mainly targeting cinema and television.
• India has banned smoking in all indoor public places. However, it still allows designated smoking rooms in restaurants, bars, nightclubs with seating for 30 or more, as well as at airports and hotels.
• India has banned tobacco content on digital streaming platforms to keep up with changing viewing habits.
• On May 31, 2023 (World No Tobacco Day), the government amended the 2012 law to include OTT platforms which made India the first country to regulate smoking in streaming content.

Mains Practise Question

India became the first country in the world to apply tobacco control regulations to digital streaming content. In light of this development, critically examine the evolving nature of tobacco control in India, and its implications for public health and digital media platforms.

Prelims MCQ

With reference to tobacco control regulations in India, consider the following statements:

1. India was the first country to extend tobacco control rules to digital streaming (OTT) platforms. 
2. The amendment to include OTT platforms was made in 2023 under the Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules, 2012. 
3. The rules apply only to traditional media like cinema and television. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• 1 only
• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 3 only

Correct Answer: b. 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: India became the first country in the world to apply tobacco control rules specifically to over-the-top (OTT) digital streaming platforms, recognizing the shift in media consumption.
• Statement 2 is correct: On May 31, 2023 (World No Tobacco Day), the Government of India amended the 2012 Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules to include OTT platforms, expanding the law beyond traditional media.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: While the original 2012 rules focused on cinema and TV, the 2023 amendment extended coverage to digital streaming platforms, so it is no longer limited to traditional media only.