Abstract :
Background: In submission to the increasing burden of tobacco use, an Act named Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) has been made to regulate tobacco use. Despite various rules and regulations initiated by the government, tobacco is easily accessible to minors and students of educational
institutions. The present study is an attempt to assess the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use among college-going students, their perceptions about tobacco use and the level of acquaintance with COTPA
Methods: A cross-sectional study in September 2014 was conducted among 237 students. A pre-designed, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess perceptions related to tobacco use and acquaintance with COTPA 2003.
Results: Ever or current use of tobacco was present among 3.8% students. Tobacco consumption was present among family members of 74(31.2%) study participants. Ban on smoking in public places and on tobacco advertisement was known to 92.82% and 49.8%, respectively. Smoking in their institution was
noticed by 53.2% study participants.
Conclusions: COTPA, even after 13 years of implementation, has not been completely enforced. Strict compliance to rules is necessary by legal enforcement. The lack of awareness about the Act among medical
students has to be looked upon seriously.
Keyword :
Tobacco regulation, Smoking, Adolescence, Substance use