POLICY BRIEFS

Tobacco taxation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the most cost-effective method of reducing tobacco use. This brief explains the status of taxation on tobacco products and the challenges faced in its implementation. A major challenge is the differential tax structure on a wide variety of tobacco products (smoking and smokeless tobacco). This brief highlights the need for higher taxes on tobacco products for effective tobacco control in India. Read More

This brief explains the severity of tobacco industry interference (TII) and reflects on the implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC. India has made rapid strides in implementing sub-national administrative measures to ensure implementation of the guiding principles of Article 5.3. Although these measures protect public officials of the health department, there are concerns about the engagement and capacity of other departments and regulatory committees to implement these measures. This brief makes recommendations to curb TII in the interest of public health. Read More

This Policy Brief is an outcome of a benchmarking exercise undertaken by HRIDAY applying an adapted version of NCD Alliance’s Benchmarking Tool, to understand and assess India’s response to NCDs, from a civil society perspective. Several key policy and programmatic developments have been spearheaded by the Government of India to address the burden of NCDs. This Policy Brief summarises some of these key developments, identifying progress and opportunities for further action. It has tried to establish an evidence-based platform for civil society to understand progress on NCD prevention and control and foster a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to the issue. Read More