Assessment of Tobacco Control Policy in India: An Evaluation using the World Health Organization MPOWER Framework

Abstract

Background: Tobacco consumption is considered to be one of the most avertable causes of premature mortality and morbidity. In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) successfully negotiated the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to work toward reducing tobacco consumption globally. Being a signatory, India has implemented several programs to control tobacco consumption. Objectives: The objective of this study is to understand the efficacy of tobacco control policies in India between 2013 and 2019 based on the WHO MPOWER measures. Materials and Methods: Secondary data from WHO's reports on the global tobacco epidemic program for the years 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 is used. Evaluation of tobacco control policies is done using the MPOWER measures proposed by the WHO in 2008, and a checklist of indicators and scoring system which is widely used in literature. Results: Of the total score of 37, scores for 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 are 24, 27, 28, and 29, respectively. The average score for seven years is 27. Conclusions: Tobacco control policies in India have shown an overall improvement. Achievements have been made even though several implementations related challenges requiring urgent attention persist.