Ban on Sale of Loose Cigarettes: Awareness, Perceptions and Practices among Vendors and Smokers in Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: The Government of Karnataka banned loose cigarettes sale effect from September 2017 and is punishable under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) with fine and imprisonment in case of violation. Aim & Objective: Study aims to assess awareness, perceptions and practices about ban among tobacco vendors and smokers. Methods and Material: Cross sectional survey was carried using pre-tested questionnaire to collect information regarding awareness about ban among vendors and smokers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Results: Ninety-five percent of the tobacco vendors continued to sell loose cigarettes despite the ban. Among vendors, 49.7%, were aware of ban and of them 53.5% knew it is a punishable offense. Vendors opined that they would stop selling loose cigarettes if ban is strictly enforced with frequent checks on periodical basis. One-fourth smokers opined they will reduce cigarettes consumption with few making an attempt to quit. Conclusions: Awareness about ban on sale of loose cigarettes was unsatisfactory among vendors and smokers including lack of knowledge regarding legal actions in case of violation. However, vendors responded favorably towards obeying the law. Smokers are likely to reduce or even quit smoking if the law is strictly enforced which highlights the need for creating awareness drives and strong enforcement of the policy.

Compliance with Section 7 (2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, Ban of Sale of Loose Tobacco, in Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In a previous study, vendors’ reasons for selling loose cigarettes were demand from smokers, absence of health warnings, and benefits of selling more. 7 We found that the most common points of sale of LT were tea stalls, petty shops, pan shops, and bakeries. In earlier studies, they were general stores, followed by petty shops, bakeries, and street vendors.…”

“…Almost all surveyed smokers in this study were male. Previous studies have found that 1% of women purchased LT 7, 8 and that 43% of current female smokers bought loose cigarettes. 8 We found that 4% of tobacco vendors were female, whereas earlier studies did not report the gender of the vendors.…”

“…Previous studies reported high rates of noncompliance with the ban on the sale of LT in Udupi and Ahmedabad. 7, 13, 14, 15 Most cigarettes were sold loose in Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Patna, Agartala, Baroda, Shimla, and Bengaluru. 10, 16 Goa had the lowest proportion of LT sale and higher pack sales.…”

“…In earlier studies, they were general stores, followed by petty shops, bakeries, and street vendors. 7, 17…”

“…18 This price increase causes fewer sales of factory-made cigarettes and higher sales of LT. 19 Previous studies reported that smokers buy LT because they smoke less, ease of buying, being less expensive, perceived approval, nondaily smoking, the intention to reduce and quit, and the wide availability and sale of single cigarettes daily in their neighborhood. 7–8, 11, 20-21 Most loose cigarettes were sold in commercial than residential areas. An earlier study reported that loose cigarettes were sold more in residential and commercial areas than in industrial areas of Bengaluru.…”