Tobacco use in Nepal poses a significant public health problem with far-reaching consequences. The affordability of tobacco products has contributed to a persistently high prevalence rate (at around 32 percent) among the population. This has led to increased mortality and morbidity from non-communicable diseases, with an estimated 37,529 tobacco-attributable deaths in 2019 alone.
What could be the role of an individual, family and society in controlling tobacco consumption? A roundtable discussion organized by the Annapurna Media Network on Tuesday highlighted the need to control tobacco consumption and suggested measures to discourage tobacco use among youths. Excerpts:
Dr Bhakta Bahadur KC, Chief, Health Promotion and Tobacco Control Section, Ministry of Health and Population
It has been challenging for us to implement the Tobacco Products (Control and Regulatory) Act. The government has not been able to strictly implement restrictions on tobacco consumption in public places. Though we have succeeded in restricting smoking in hotels above two stars, we have not been able to restrict tobacco consumption in smaller hotels and restaurants.
The Ministry of Health had proposed amendments to the Act calling for stricter anti-tobacco law, but the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers returned the amendment proposal. We are planning to ban the sales of all tobacco products for people below the age of 21, raise the fine amount to Rs 500 for tobacco consumption in public places, increase the pictorial health warning on tobacco packages, and ban or regulate e-cigarettes and vapes.
Raising the tobacco tax is also a good way to discourage youths from picking up habits like smoking and chewing tobacco.
Dr Jaya Kumar Gurung, Senior research expert, Nepal Development Research Institute
We have a very weak information system to inform the public about no tobacco consumption. Our Act has clarified about the sales and distribution. As per the Act, the government may, if it deems necessary, make provisions of license for sale and distribution of tobacco products. The government can make the provision immediately if it really wants to control and regulate tobacco consumption.
The Act also states that no person shall be allowed to or to cause to sell and distribute or provide the tobacco products for free to a person below the age of 18 and to pregnant women. But I doubt that shopkeepers are aware of this law.
Also, the Act bars selling and distribution of tobacco products within 100 meters of educational and health institutions, child welfare homes, child care centers and elderly care homes. This law too has not been implemented. The Act itself has become old and it needs to be updated. Our regulatory body is weak and as a result, the monitoring process is also dismal.
If we are serious about the control and regulation of tobacco, there must be a designated team to monitor illegal sales and use of tobacco products. As far as raising the tobacco tax is concerned, the government so far has been reluctant to do so.
Kumar Prasad Dahal, Head, Youth Development Division, Ministry of Youth and Sports
Many of our youths are addicted to tobacco products. To help prevent the young population from tobacco addiction as well as tobacco-related diseases like cancer, the government has come up with effective laws and policies.
The Tobacco Act explains that the manufacturers shall print visible text and pictorial warnings about the hazards of tobacco consumption, covering at least 75 percent of their product packets. Manufacturers have adhered to this stipulation, but it is not enough to discourage people from consuming tobacco.
The government should launch anti-tobacco campaigns targeting vulnerable groups, including teenagers, wage workers and farmers. It should also conduct counseling sessions to make tobacco consumers break their habit.
Hari Prasad Mainali, Secretary, Forum for Protection of Consumer-Rights Nepal
The government has not given a serious thought about banning tobacco in Nepal. How will Nepal be if tobacco is banned? Can we ban it? How much can we regulate and control? How is the situation of tobacco consumption in rural areas in Nepal? There are many aspects that need to be weighed and considered if we are to ban or regulate tobacco use in the country.
Tobacco is sold in weekly markets in rural areas, and our anti-tobacco laws say nothing about this. The question we need to ask is how we can control tobacco sales and consumption using the state mechanisms. Public awareness is also very important.
Many of our youths use tobacco products these days, and those who are non-users are picking up the habit out either out of peer pressure, or because they feel like it is part of the youth culture.
So, we need to reassess our approach and anti-tobacco laws and come up with an effective solution to discourage youths from using tobacco products.
