smoke-free compliance surveys total area is 8,070 km² (3,116 mi²). its population is approximately...

Smoke-Free Compliance Survey in Berhampur & Chatrapur City of Ganjam District, Odisha

Study Conducted by: Khallikote college (Autonomous), Berhampur, Odisha 1

Study Conducted & Prepared by

Khallikote College (Autonomous) www.Khallikotecollege.org.in

E-mail- [email protected]

Khallikote College (Autonomous), Berhampur,

Ganjam, Odisha, India, PIN-760001

Report on

Smoke-Free Compliance Status in

BERHAMPUR & CHATRAPUR

city of GANJAM District, ODISHA

http://www.khallikotecollege.org/



Berhampur City Map

Ganjam District Map



Acknowledgement

Khallikote College (Autonomous) has undertaken the Compliance survey on section 4 and 6

(B) of Indian Tobacco Control Act for Ganjam district of Odisha. It was a very different

experience to visit various places to understand the status of smoke free compliance with a

young team of NCC Cadets who took 5 day‟s time to capture the reality.

We are grateful to the District Administration of Ganjam for their relentless support especially

the Collector, Ganjam District, Govt. of Odisha.

We express our gratitude to the CDMO and the ADMO (P.H) of Ganjam District for giving us

the permission to conduct the survey. Due to their effective leadership, our team could

smoothly conduct the survey.

We are thankful to Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) for their technical and

financial support for the study. The people in particular- Mr. Utpal Das, State Programme

Manager, Mr. Debananda Mahanta of VHAI for their constant co-operation.

We gratefully acknowledge the valuable contribution of Mr. Brundaban Panda (Secretary) &

Mr. Narayan Panda (Programme Coordinator) of Govinda Pradhan Smruti Sansad (GPSS),

Berhampur, Ganjam.

Above all, we are highly indebted to the International Union for Tuberculosis and Lung

Diseases (The Union) for their support to carry out the study.



1. Introduction & Background

The Indian Parliament has enacted the Indian Tobacco Control Act titled “The Cigarettes and other

Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce,

Production, Supply and Distribution) Act” (COTPA) in 2003. The Act is applicable to all products

containing tobacco in any form. The Act extends to whole of India including J & K.

The Smoke-free Ganjam district of Odisha initiative was started from September 2012. A multi agency

and inter-sectoral collaboration was sought to give shape to the smoke free Ganjam drive. Ganjam

district is under the National Tobacco Control Programme.

2. Ganjam District – A brief Profile

Ganjam District is one of the oldest Districts of Odisha. Located on the boarder of Andhra Pradesh,

Ganjam District came into existence on 1st April 1936. The district is named after the Old Township and

European fort of Ganjam situated on the northern bank of river Rushikulya which was the head quarter of

the District. The Ganjam area was a part of ancient Kalinga which was occupied by Ashok in 261 B.C.

The period of 1757 was ruled by the French Commander Bussy. In 1759, the French ruler was defeated

by English and the District was annexed by them. The office of the District Collector was established in

1974. The District got separated from the Madras Presidency and formed the part of the newly created

State of Odisha province with effect from 1.4.1936. Ganjam's total area is 8,070 km² (3,116 mi²). Its

population is approximately 2,704,056. Ganjam is known for its beaches bordering the Bay of Bengal, the

most famous ones being Gopalpur (a famous tourist destination) and Dhavaleshwar. The most populous

city in Ganjam, Berhampur, is famous for silver filigree and silk sarees woven with gold and silver threads.

The district headquarters is Chhatrapur. Ganjam is divided into three sub-divisions

Chhatrapur, Berhampur, and Bhanjanagar. The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1908 lists Ganjam, along with

the Thanjavur and South Canara districts, as the three districts of the Madras Presidency where

Brahmins were most numerous. As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Odisha (out of 30).

Ganjam District is on 19.4 to 20.17 degree North Latitude and 84.7 to 85.12 degree East Longitude. It

covers an area of 8070.60 sq km. The district is braodly divided into two divisions, the Coastal plain area

in the east and hill and table lands in the west. The eastern ghats run along the western side of the District.

The climate of Ganjam is characterized by an equable temperature round the year, particularly in the

coastal regions. The District„s cold season from December to February is followed by hot season from

March to May. The District experiences normal annual rainfall of 1444 mms.

Agriculture is a traditional occupation and the way of living of the inhabitants of the Ganjam District. The

District is well known for its fertile soil and agricultural productivity. A large variety of crops are grown

here like Paddy, Ground nut, Sugar cane, Oil seeds, Ragi, Mung, Biri etc. Because of the agro climatic

condition Ganjam is included as the agricultural District.

The literacy rate of the ganjam district is above 60 percent. There are many reputed educational institutes

in the District like Brahmapur University, Ganjam Law College, Lingaraj Law College, NIST, Khalikote

College Brahmapur, R.C.M. Science college Khalikote, Government Science College Chhatrapur,

Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College, Nursing College, and Pharmaceutical Colleges etc.

Ganjam District celebrates many festivals round the year. Dola Yatra, Tara Tarini Mela, Thakurani Yatra,

Durga Puja, Shiv Ratri, Ratha Yatra, Makar Sankranti, Manabasa Gurubara and Danda Yatra are the

famous festivals being celebrated in the District with great enthusiasm. Ganjam District is full of many

tourist spots that are visited by a large number of tourists every year like Arjyapalli, Athagadapatna,

Balkumari, Brahmapur, Bhairabi (Mantridi), Bhetanai, Biranchi Narayan, Budhakhol- Buguda, Chilika

(Rambha), Girisola, Gopalpur sea beach, Taratarini etc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Bengal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopalpur-on-Sea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berhampur

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filigree

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatrapur

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berhampur

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhanjanagar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Imperial_Gazetteer_of_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanjavur_District

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Canara

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_Presidency

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_of_Odisha



Ganjam District is the land of many prominent personalities like: Bharat Ratna Varahgiri Venkat Giri,

Biswanath Dash, Binayak Acharya, Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja, Sasi Bhusan Rath, Kabi Surjya

Baladeba Rath, Kalinga Bira Biju Pattnaik, Raja Bahadur Ramachandra Mardaraj Deo, Chakara Bisoyi,

Padmasri Bhagaban Sahu.

According to the 2011 census Ganjam district has a population of 3,520,151, roughly equal to the nation

of Lithuania or the US state of Connecticut. This gives it a ranking of 83rd in India (out of a total

of 640). The district has a population density of 429 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,110 /sq mi)

. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 11.37%. Ganjam has a sex ratio of

981 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 71.88%.

3. About Khallikote College (Autonomous)

The Khallikote College (Autonomous), Berhampur, Orissa is one of the oldest educational

institutions of India. It was started as a school in 1856 in Berhampur and became an intermediate

College in 1878. Its earlier name was Native College. The present name Khallikote College was

conferred on it in 1893 in token of the good gesture shown by Raja of Khallikote who donated

16.5 Acres of land. Degree classes in Arts and Science were begun in 1944 and in Commerce

and Mathematics were started from 1963 and in other subjects in subsequent years under

affiliation to Berhampur University.

The Khallikote Autonomous College, Berhampur, Orissa is one of the oldest educational

institutions of India. It was started as a school in 1856 in Berhampur and became an intermediate

College in 1878. Its earlier name was Native College. The present name Khallikote College was

conferred on it in 1893 in token of the good gesture shown by Raja of Khallikote who donated

16.5 Acres of land. Degree classes in Arts and Science were begun in 1944 and in Commerce

and Mathematics were started from 1963 and in other subjects in subsequent years under

affiliation to Utkal University. The affiliation was transferred to Berhampur University

established in1967.The management of the college, until then under a private trust named K. C.

Trust managing Committee, was taken over by the government of Orissa in 1971. Autonomy was

conferred on it in 1990. This famous college has been accredited by NAAC, Bangalore with B+

grade in the year 2003. In May 2006 the college has been accorded the status of? CPE? College

with Potential of Excellence by the UGC. The college at present has 18 Departments. It runs 06

self-financing courses along with the traditional courses. As on today this prestigious college is

catering the needs of around 5000 students.

VISION

The college is going to be 150 years old in 2020. The college is to inspire the young generation to

make it a temple of learning. The unitary university status with complete following in all schools,

a prominent research centre of south Orissa, complete e-administration, with e - governance, e–

library with INFLIBNET facility to the students are the visions of this college in 2020.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide a safe, caring, therapeutic environment where students with psychiatric,

educational, and social challenges can best develop the skills and character necessary to rejoin

their communities with success.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_census_of_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_planning_in_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_ratio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy_in_India



NATIONAL CADET CORPS

The NCC in Khallikote College has two wings (1) Army wing (2) Naval wing

1. ARMY WING:

The NCC Army wing (Infantry) of this College is affiliated to 2nd Orissa B.N. NCC,

Gandhinagar, Berhampur, under the Berhampur Group of Bhubaneswar Directorate. It

has only one company with an authorised strength of 80 cadets only. A student with

average height, sound health will be eligible to join. Cadets having experience in Junior

Division NCC enriched with cultural talents, possession of academic excellence will be

given preference. A cadet is required to undergo a course of three year training in Senior

Division NCC(Army wing) during his college tenure. P.G. and M.Phil students are not

eligible to join NCC. Normal training is held every Sunday consisting of 6 periods, each

period being 40 minutes. Authorised training period in an year is120 periods.

Instructions are imparted to cadets in drill with and without arms, weapon training, field

craft, map reading and so on. At the end of the 2nd year training, a cadet is allowed to

appear for „B‟ Certificate Examination provided he has attended one training camp and

has put in a minimum of 75% of the attendance out of the required 120 periods. At the

end of the third year training a cadet is allowed to appear at „C‟ Certificate Examination,

provided he has attended two training camps, has put in 75% of attendance out of 120

periods and should have passed „B‟ Certificate Examination.

2. NAVAL WING:

The Senior Division Naval Wing NCC in the College is affiliated to No. 1 Orissa Naval

Wing NCC Berhampur. There are three division, each division having a maximum

authorised strength of 50 cadets. Cadets with experience in Junior Division of Naval

Wing NCC will be given preference to join the Senior Division of Naval Wing.

Instruction is imparted in service lectures, field training, arms drill, communication

(Semaphore and Mores) elementary navigation and weapon training. Facilities exist for

construction of models of boats and ships by cadets during their spare time as a hobby.

Those cadets who wish to appear at Certificate Examinations should be very regular in

parades and fulfil certain other eligibility conditions. During the beginning of the second

year of training a cadet will be allowed to appear in the „B‟ Certificate Examination. The

„C‟ Certificate Examination will be held at the end of the third year of training for „B‟

certificate holders. Besides annual training camp a cadet has opportunities to attend

training course on board a ship of Indian Navy, Advanced Leadership Course. All India

Summer Training Camp Combined Annual Training Camp, I.N.S. Nasik etc.

5. ABOUT THE COMPLIANCE STUDY

Section 4 of COTPA prohibits smoking in the public places including workplaces, offices

(government and private), public buildings, educational institution hotels, restaurants and bars,

etc. Under this Act, Government of India has notified the smoke free rules which came into

effect from 2nd

October 2008. Any person found smoking in a public place is liable to pay a fine

of up to Rs. 200. The offence is compoundable, that is it or which can be settled on the spot by

the enforcement officer and may be tried summarily in accordance with the procedure provided

in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The authorized officer will be considered a public

servant while acting in performance of his duty under COTPA.



Section 3 (l) of COTPA defines „public place‟ as any place to which the public have access,

whether as of right or not, but does not include any open space. However open spaces that are

visited by the public like open auditoriums, stadiums, railway stations, bus stops and such other

places are brought under the public places category by notified smoke free rules and

subsequently smoking is also ban on these places. The rules also notified 21 categories of

authorized officers to ensure enforcement of smoke free rules in public places.

As per these rules the owner/in-charge/proprietor/manager of a public place must ensure that:

i. No person smokes in the public place under his jurisdiction.

ii. A 60x30cm board stating “No Smoking Area – Smoking

here is an Offence” is prominently displayed at each

entrance, floors, staircases, and entrance of the lifts and at

other conspicuous place(s) inside.

iii. Name designation and contact of the person to whom a

complaint may be made is displayed prominently.

iv. No ashtrays, lighters and matchsticks etc. are provided.

Broadly, COTPA 2003 and its subsequent notification says -

Section 4 - Ban on smoking in any public place including Government and Private

Workplace/offices, Educational Institutions, Bus Stand, Railway Station, Restaurants, Hotels,

Bars, Shopping Malls etc.



If the owner, manager, supervisor etc. fails to act upon any complaint he is liable to a fine

equivalent to the number of individual offences recorded on his premises.

With a collaborative effort of State Health Administration, Commissionerate of Police,

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and VHAI-Aparajita Bhubaneswar city was declared as

Smoke Free and set example of a perfect harmonious coordination of Health Department,

District Police Administration, District Education Department, Media, Civil Society

Organisations and the common people to make the city smoke free. It is needless to mention

that the Smoke-Free Ganjam District initiative was started from September 2012. A multi agency

and inter-sectoral collaboration was sought to give shape to the smoke free Ganjam drive. While

District Health Administration focused its efforts on meeting compliance of the smoke free rules,

District Police emphasized upon enforcing the law. Voluntary Health Association of India with

its alliance partners worked intensively for capacity building, network strengthening, advocacy and

monitoring compliance. Media has been playing very active and positive role in generating

massive awareness among large section of people.

A Smoke Free Compliance Survey was undertaken by Khallikote College (Autonomous) to

assess the level of compliance of smoke free law in the district. A jurisdiction can be ready for its

smoke free drive when there is a joint commitment from the government, civil society, media and

common people. A district can be declared smoke free when the smoke free law is complied,

there is a systematic reporting mechanism to lodge complain against violation of the rules of the

law. Massive public awareness and positive people‟s opinion are sine-qua-non for a smoke free

initiative. The city/ jurisdiction can be declared smoke free by an appropriate government

authority.

6. Objectives of the Study

The Smoke Free Compliance survey was conducted with the following objectives:

i. To assess the compliance level of smoke free law in the public places.

ii. To observe presence of signage with warning.

iii. To assess presence of signage with the details of reporting authority.



iv. To observe smoking in and around the building.

v. To see presence of smoking evidence.

vi. To assess provision of smoking aid such as ashtrays, matchboxes, lighters etc.

vii. To assess compliance level in Educational Institutions

7. Study Methodology

The Compliance Survey was conducted by a team of 10 NCC Cadets and two NCC Officers.

The team visited all the places of Berhampur City and District Head Quarter Chatrapur and

conducted the study over a period of 5 days. There were structured questionnaires and

observation sheets to assess the level of compliance. Information from different sources was also

obtained to validate the data and assess the status of compliance, enforcement and level of

awareness.

Sampling

The study followed purposive sampling method to select the public places and educational

institutions where the compliance study was conducted. The public places which are most

frequently visited in Berhampur City and District Head Quarter Chatrapur were covered in the

study. The abstract of sample size covered under the study was as follows:

Public Spaces and Responses Captured

City Name

Any

Signage

stating No

Smoking

Are -

Smoking

here is an

offence

Does the

signage (s)

comply with

specification

in law

(60X30 cm)

The name and

designation of

the person-in-

charge is

mentioned on

the board to

report the

violation?

Was anyone

found

smoking

during

enumeration

Are there any

ashtrays,

matches or

other smoking

aid(s) visible?

Are there any

cigarette/ bidi

butts visible?

Was

Tobacco

Smoke smell

felt inside

premises by

enumerator?

Berhampur 106 106 43 19 22 14 19

Chatrapur 35 35 4 1 1 0 1

Total 141 141 47 20 23 14 20

On the basis of purposive sampling technique, following seven (7) categories of the public places

have been visited:

i. Government office /buildings

ii. Private office / workplace

iii. Hospitality sector including Hotels, Rest houses, Lodges, Restaurants, Eateries

(dhabas/tea stalls) etc.

iv. Educational Institutions including universities, colleges, schools, institution of higher

learning and coaching center affiliated or recognized by an appropriate authority

v. Health Care facilities such as Hospitals/clinics/nursing homes/diagnostic centers‟ both in

government and private sector.

vi. Other public places including railway stations, bus stops, airports, stadium, auditoriums,

library, cinema halls, clubs, shopping malls, markets etc.

vii. Public transport facilities such as buses, taxis and maxi cabs.



Study tools

Study was carried out using standard checklist for observing the public place premise / institution.

The checklist had the following sections

i. Location information

ii. Discussion with public place manager

iii. Observation points for all no smoking area

iv. Observation points for designated smoking area

8. Results and Findings:

The study was conducted in 156 Public places and 24 Educational Institutions covering

Berhampur City and District Head Quarter Chatrapur. The data collected in the study were

compiled and analysed. The results and findings of the study were further discussed among the

team members of the study and their views and observations were also incorporated to support

the findings of the study. The broad heads of the analysis and results thereof are:

Heads of the analysis for Compliance of Section 4 of COTPA 2003

i. Signage with warning at appropriate place.

ii. Nature of access to the facility

iii. Signage confirming prescription of law. (Warning in English or local language, Board size

60X30cm, Red circle of no less than 15cm)

iv. Designated person detail displayed.

v. Any other no smoking board displayed.

vi. Was anyone seen smoking inside the premise?

vii. Presence of ashtrays, match box or other smoking aids in the premise.

viii. Presence of cigarette or bidi butt.

ix. Presence of tobacco smoke smell.

x. Provision of designated smoking area

Survey findings: Compliance of Section 4

i. Signage with warning at appropriate place

District Administration, Ganjam in collaboration with Voluntary Health Association of India-

Aparajita & Govinda Pradhan Smruti Sansad (GPSS) have taken all possible measures and in the

process to ensure the display of Board having warning as per The Cigarette and Other Tobacco

Products Act 2003 and its subsequent rules– “No smoking area, smoking here is an offence at

the entrance” or at appropriate place. During the compliance smoke free survey the team found

the following trend in display of these boards at the entrance.



Signage with warning at entrance/appropriate place

During the survey it was observed that most of the public place managers are aware about the law

and placed “No Smoking” signage in different forms, like sticker, wall writing and board.

However it is observed that the signage provided by State Health Department in collaboration

with VHAI & GPSS is placed prominently. The total number of public places visited and

surveyed in Ganjam District was 156. Out of all these institutions and public places at 141 places

the prescribed signage with warning are displayed in prominent places. It is found during the

survey that in 15 public places/ institutions the board is not placed. From the discussion with

managers of these public places it is revealed that some of them are not aware about the act and

others though heard about the Act, took a casual approach towards it. In a few places, public

place managers stated that the signage was placed but for some reason like reshuffle of office,

white wash of the wall, the signage being damaged, and the signage is not there. However, during

the interaction, they assured that the boards will be in place within a very short time.

ii. Nature of access to the facility.

During the survey it was found that most of the public places covered have open public access.

Out of total 156 locations covered during the survey 109 have open public access and the rest 47

have limited public access.

iii. Signage confirming prescription of law



As per the smoke free rules of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act the boards to be

displayed at the public places have certain specifications, such as size of the board needs to be at

least 60X 30 c.m. The background of the board should be white in colour. The circle in the

board with cigarette and a band crossing it needs to be at least of 15 c.m. of radius. The warning

needs to be written in English or local language. The team conducting the study for compliance

monitoring found the following results in terms of signage displayed confirming prescription of

law.

Signage confirming prescription of law

137 numbers of public places or institutions out of 156 had the signage confirming exactly to the

norms of the Smoke free rules. These accounts for 88% of the total number of places visited and

surveyed. The remaining places did not have signage meeting the specification of law. It is found

that in 137 public places the signage which was provided by State Health Administration in

collaboration with VHAI-Aparajita & GPSS is in place.

iv. Designated person details displayed

The smoke free rules of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act 2003 makes it mandatory to

designate a person in the public place to whom the violation of the Act can be reported to. The

name, designation and contact detail of the designated authority needs to be displayed at a

prominent place/ places in the building. The study team found the following result which is

reflected in the chart mentioned below regarding display of name of the designated person to

whom reporting of violation should be made.



Designated person detail displayed

In 103 public places out of 156, it is found that the board with details of designated person like,

name & designation, telephone & fax number, email address is in place and prominently

displayed. This accounts 34% of the total area visited. In remaining 66% places the boards

showing details of the designated person are not displayed. From the discussion with managers of

the concerned public places where the board is not displayed, it is revealed that most of them are

not aware about the law. During discussion, mangers from these public places feel that this aspect

is important and they will place the same very soon but the prototype should be provided by

concerned authority.

v. Smoking within the building/premises of the location

In spite of all the efforts and measures taken by the public place managers to ensure strict

implementation of the law, it depends upon the awareness level of people visiting the public

places as well as all the staff members of public places. It is important to have a monitoring and

enforcement mechanism to observe whether any direct smoking is happening in the public

places. During the survey the team spent some times inside the premise during working hour and

observed the cases of direct smoking in the building. The following charts showed the results that

were observed.

Smoking within the building and premises

Active smoking in the premises was found in 20 places out of all the 156 public places visited by

the study team. These places were mainly Bus/Trekker owners association office located in bus



stands and inside the boundary walls of Panchayat Samiti office, Tehsil office, RTO office where

a huge number of people gathered every day.

During the discussion with different people about the significant change in incidence of smoking

in public places it was revealed that due to the awareness programmes in different media and

strict enforcement mechanism the incidence of smoking has been reduced especially in public

places. It is also observed that now common people also resist if they find somebody smoking in

public places.

vi. Presence of smoking aid

The law prohibiting smoking in public place also has restriction for not keeping or providing

smoking aid such as lighter, match boxes, ashtrays, etc at their premises. Presence of these

smoking aids implies that smoking is encouraged in these places. The team visited different

public places and found the following results which are explained below.

Presence of smoking aid



In all the 156 public places visited by the team during the survey it was found that smoking aids

had been provided at 23 public places.

vii. Presence of cigarette or bidi butt

To assess whether smoking is still going on in public places or not, one important measure is to

observe the presence of cigarette/ bidi butts in the public place building or premise. This gives a

clear picture whether smoking happens in the place or not. The team observed this aspect very

closely and found the following:



Only in 14 places out of all the 156 public places visited by the study team found cigarette or bidi

butts in the premises, these places were mainly Bus/Trekker owners association office located in

bus stands and inside the boundary wall of Tehsil office and Panchayat Samiti office at the block

level where huge number of people gathered every day.

This reflects that though there is awareness among the people but this aspect still need further

awareness for the people and enforcement mechanism needs to be strengthened in the District.

viii. Presence of tobacco smoke smell

The team spent quite a good time in each public place during the survey. During the visiting time

there may not be direct smoking but if anybody used to smoke inside the premise the smoke

smell can be felt for sometimes after the smoking. The survey team was very keen in this aspect

and the results came out from this observation is mentioned below.

Felt tobacco smoke smell

Only in 20 public places out of all the 156 visited by the study team felt smell of smoking inside

the building. Again these places were mainly Bus/Trekker owners association office located in

bus stands and Tahsil office and Panchayat Samiti office at the block level where huge no of

people gathered every day.

This observation validates the fact that the incidence of smoking is not happening in most of the

public places. The public place managers in many places have given opinion that whether they

have displayed boards or not but they strictly adhere to the smoke free rules by way of preventing

smoking in their jurisdiction.



ix. Provision of designated smoking area

The smoke free law has the provision of creating designated smoking area in their jurisdiction.

These places can be created in the following places:

Hotels having 30 or more rooms

Restaurants having sitting capacity of 30 or more

Airports

The law also specifies the details of the designated smoking area mentioning that this should be a

closed room and should not connect to the non smoking areas in any way spreading the smoke.

No smoking aid should be provided in this place to encourage smoking. The study team found

out the following results.

Out of all the 156 institutions surveyed in the district there is no designated area for smoking.

8.2 For Compliance of Section 6(B) of COTPA: 2003

i. Display of signage outside the school premises( Main gate, boundary wall)

ii. Signage confirming prescription of law.

iii. Background colour of the signage

iv. Sale of tobacco products inside the campus

v. Sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of radial distance from the Institutes main gate

or boundary.



Section 6 - Restrict access of minors to tobacco products by: banning sale

(a) to and by any person below the age of eighteen years

It is now mandatory for every tobacco vendor to display a signage which has pictorial

health warning in 50% area and in other 50% mentions ban on sale of tobacco products

to minors.

OR

(b) in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution

Every school needs to display a board on its boundary wall mentioning that sale of

tobacco within 100 yards is a punishable offence

Survey Findings : for Compliance of Section 6(B)

i. Display of signage outside the school premises (Main gate, boundary wall)

As per the section 6(B) of The Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 and its

subsequent rules it is necessary for all educational institutions to place the signage outside the

school (main gate or boundary wall) with the message “Tobacco free school, Sale of Tobacco

products in an area within the radius of 100 yards of this institute is strictly prohibited and is a

punishable offence with a fine which may extend to Rs. 200/-“. During the compliance smoke

free survey, the team found the following trend in display of these boards at the educational

institutions.



Display of signage outside of the school premises

Out of 24 educational institutions surveyed, it has been found that in 12 institutions the

signage as per the rule is in proper place and in 12 places the signage was not there. During the

discussion with the head master/Principal of these 12 schools, it was found that as per the

instruction of the District administration, the signage was placed in the main gate of the school,

but due to the reasons like white wash of the boundary wall, damage of the sign board the signage

were not in place and they were planning to put it very soon.

ii. Signage confirming prescription of law.

As per section 6(B) of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act a signage is to be displayed

at the main gate or boundary wall of the educational institutions. The size of the board needs to

be at least 60X 30 c.m. The background of the board should be of white colour and the text has

to written in black colour. The warning needs to be written in English or local language. The

team conducting the study for smoke free compliance survey found the following results in terms

of signage displayed confirming to prescription of law.

Signage as per law.

Out of the total 24 educational institutions surveyed 12 numbers of institutions had the signage

confirming exactly to the norms of the COTPA Act. This account to 50% of the total number of

Institutions visited and surveyed. The remaining 12 Institutions did not have signage as per the

law during the time of visit. However the in charge of these institutions assured that very soon

they will put the signage as per the law.



iii. Background colour of the signage

As per section 6(B) of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act a signage has to be

displayed at the main gate or boundary wall of the educational institutions. The background of

the board should be of white colour and the text has to be written in black colour. The team

conducting the study for smoke free compliance survey found the following results in terms of

signage displayed confirming to prescription of law.

Background colour

As Headmaster/Principal of educational institutions were sensitized about the display of signage

as per section 6 (B) of the Act all the institutions who displayed the signage have developed the

signage as per the specification suggested norms of the COTPA Act.

iv. Sale of tobacco products inside the campus

As per section 6(B) of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, sale of tobacco product is

strictly prohibited inside the educational institution campus. The team conducting the study for

smoke free compliance survey found the following results in terms of sale of tobacco products

inside the educational institution campus.

Sale of tobacco products inside the campus

Out of 24 educational institutions surveyed, the team had not found sale of tobacco product

inside the campus of any educational institutions.

v. Sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of radial distance from the Institutes main gate or

boundary wall.

As per the section 6(B) of The Cigarette and other tobacco Products Act 2003 and its subsequent

rules Sale of Tobacco products in an area within the radius of 100 yards of this institute is strictly

prohibited and is a punishable offence with a fine which may extend to Rs. 200/-. During the

compliance smoke free survey, the team found the following results in terms of sale of tobacco

products within 100 yards of radial distance from the Institutes main gate or boundary wall.

Sale of tobacco products within 100 yards

Out of 24 educational institutions surveyed it has been found that there are no shops with

tobacco products within 100 yards in 16 educational institutions. In rest 8 numbers of

educational institutions it is observed that there are shops with tobacco products within 100 yards

of the institution. However the authorities of those 8 educational institutions said during the

discussion that the shops selling tobacco product within 100 yard of the institution has already

been warned by local police and school tobacco control committee and very soon sale of tobacco

product will be stopped in those shops.



9. Feedback from The people during the Compliance Study

Statement of Ramesh Chandra Behera :( Asst. Labour Commissioner Office, Ganjam)

According to his view, he appreciated the work done by VHAI and told us that if we

discourage the tobacco production, the district will be smoke free compliant soon.

Statement of Minati Panda :( District Water Resource Dept.)

According to her view, she told us that people are not conscious regards tobacco

awareness, we are trying to stop all the smoking activities and tobacco using inside the

campus , but people sometimes do not the rules so its need more awareness related this act

the COTPA act will be implemented properly it may be decrease this type of problem.

Statement of Goutam Charana Behera :( PR, Sri Ram Hospital, Ganjam)

Goutam charan behera working in Sri Ram Hospital for last 10 years. According to his statement,

they stick the tobacco signage inside the hospital campus but some people are not sensitive

and break up the rules, so it needs more awareness regarding this COTPA act.

Nalanikanta Panda :( Clerk, OSRTC, Ganjam)

He told us that the large numbers of visitors are coming OSRTC office every day, we are

sticking the signage everywhere in OSRTC office , so people are obeying the rules and are not

try to doing any bad activities related to tobacco.

Principal :( UCP Engeering School, Ganjam)

He shared that nobody is trying to smoke inside the campus, but it needs more awareness and

education related to tobacco and its harmful effects, because school children is the future of

our nation.

Suresh Chandra Sahoo :( Head Post Master, Berhampur)

He told us that nobody are using tobacco inside the office campus, but its need more

awareness and education among the general people.

Pravat kumar panda:( lecture, Roland Pharmaceutical College)

He was of the opinion that the using of tobacco has reduced as compared to last 5 years, but it

needs more education with regards to harmful effects among the young mass.

In Ganjam District there is a strong enforcement mechanism to report and take action against the

violation of smoke free law and rules. The District Police is vibrant in Ganjam and already

developed an effective strategy, the District Police administration has taken up this activity in their

regular agenda and there is monitoring of the violations on a regular basis. Enforcement squads

have been formed at block level and the police officials above the rank of Sub Inspectors are

equipped with receipt and challan books to penalize the offenders and collect fine. In every



month there is a review meeting held at the office of the Superintendent Police, Ganjam to

review the progress and bottlenecks.

Besides the above mechanism, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has issued

instructions to all the public places and offices to designate a person to whom violation of the Act

can be reported. These public places are also provided with Receipt and challan books along

with signage with warning – “No smoking area, Smoking here is an offence”. District

administration also issued circular to all educational institutions in the districts to display signage

at the main gate for compliance of Section-6 (B).

10. Community sensitization & Awareness on tobacco control issues

VHAI has a strong civil society network in Ganjam district and the NGOs affiliated to VHAI are

working primarily in the field of health & development. Capacity building programme for

different stakeholders like, Civil society members, NGO personnel, Coalition partners,

Teachers, Police officials, Officials and staff of other line Departments, PRI members and

community leaders were organised to sensitize the community on tobacco control issues. At the

community level series of IEC activities have been conducted in collaboration with Health

Department and coalition partners. Street play, rally and audio visual presentation of video clip

on ill effect of tobacco were organised at the community level to sensitize the community on

COTPA Act and ill effects of tobacco. To ensure proper coverage of tobacco related issues in

print and electronic media, media personnel were sensitized on a regular basis.

Various media houses, both electronic and print media, have given priority to tobacco control

issues. Many media representatives have brought significant change in the status of compliance

and enforcement of the smoke free rules by drawing attention of the appropriate authorities.

11. Recommendations

The following recommendations are made to bring about further improvement in the effective

implementation of COTPA in the District:

i. Survey to be extended to rural areas:

With more than 90% percent of the institutions complying with the smoke free law, the

process has been initiated to make it 100 per cent with collaborative effort of District

administration, civil society, press and community members of Ganjam District. The

enforcement mechanism has been established and is functional in all parts of the District.

The efforts and initiatives taken by the District Administration with VHAI as alliance

partner are instrumental for effective implementation of COTPA in the District.



However, there is a need to conduct a similar survey in the rural areas of the Ganjam

District to assess the situation in the rural areas.

ii. Highlighting evils of smoking in all community level programmes:

Steps should be intensified in this direction.

iii. Displaying details of designated person to be made mandatory:

The survey reveals that in 103 of the 156 places covered by the survey, i.e. in 66 per cent

of the cases, the boards showing the details of the designated person are not displayed. It

was further found that the concerned public places were not aware of the law. Therefore,

there is an imperative need to impart training in this regard to make the public place

managers more proactive.

iv. Signage to be put up at several places in a public place instead of one place:

The signage should be put up in a number of places in a public place and should not only

to be restricted to only the entrance. This would help in deterring people to violate the

law.

v. Availability of the designated person:

Some mechanism has to be developed so that the designated person is immediately

available for the lodging of a complaint.

12. Conclusion

Unless and until strong and strict policy level decision the Act will not be effective in all parts of

the District. It needs a strong political will to make the District really tobacco free. Successful

enforcement of tobacco control laws will also require community mobilization to increase

peoples' awareness, solicit their support for the law and involve them in monitoring enforcement

and reporting violations. This would also need to be complemented with sustained awareness

and advocacy efforts, as well as the formation of local community-level implementation and

monitoring bodies which will act in tandem with the official enforcement agencies. Meeting the

smoke free criteria is just the beginning of institutionalization of a successful model of tobacco

control in a particular jurisdiction. Increasing the level of compliance, sustaining the effort in long

run and replicating the model in different settings are the guiding principles of smoke free drive.

It is important for a District/State to get committed for such an initiative for which it holds it self

responsible.



SNAP SHOTS OF SMOKE FREE COMPLIANT PUBLIC SPACES OF

BERHAMPUR & CHATRAPUR CITY OF GANJAM DISTRICT

smoke-free compliance surveys total area is 8,070 km² (3,116 mi²). its population is approximately...

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