1. Global Challenges Research Fund: Tobacco Control Capacity Programme Idea Exchange, WCTOH 7th March 2018

2. GCRF: GROW Research Call
Aim: “to grow the research base in the UK and strengthen capacity overseas to address research challenges informed by the expressed needs of developing countries”.
Funding from GCRF through Research Councils UK Collective Fund.
Partnership building between UK research organisations and researchers and also other partners (NGOs, governments and business) in developing countries
37 projects funded, each for 4 years

3. The TCCP Programme

4. Research Questions
To what extent do national approaches to tobacco taxation align with international best practice, and how can these be enhanced to reduce tobacco consumption?
How can local capacity to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products be increased, advancing implementation of the Protocol to the FCTC?
What are the principal barriers experienced by governments in protecting public health policy from tobacco industry interference, with specific reference to taxation and illicit trade?

5. Research Team

6. Why is tobacco taxation important
Why is tobacco taxation important? (Corné van Walbeek – University of Cape Town)
Of all tobacco control interventions, the single most effective one is increasing the excise tax
It is particularly effective in reducing smoking among the youth and low SESs
It also increases government revenue
There is no logical limit to tax increases (in contrast to other TC interventions)

7. What are the important issues?
How does the structure of the excise tax (e.g. specific vs. ad valorem) influence its effectiveness?
Illicit trade: Is it a problem? How to measure it? How to curb it?
How does the industry respond to excise tax changes, and what can we learn from that?

8. The role of the TCCP Build capacity among post-doc fellows
Share the research with government officials and other stakeholders
Fill research gaps related to tobacco taxation and illicit trade

9. TCCP in Action - Bangladesh

10. Infrastructure
Skills and confidence building
Linkages and collaborations

11. Co-creation of Research Actionable dissemination Sustainability
Nine out of ten children in Bangladesh exposed to secondhand smoke

12. Building capacity for research to address tobacco industry influence in India Monika Arora-HRIDAY, India
Why research on Tobacco Industry Influence (TII) is important?
Major roadblock, subverting implementation of Tobacco Control (TC) policies in India. (e.g. prohibition of smoking in public places, larger health warnings, increasing taxes, advertising ban).
Using judiciary system to stall effective TC measures (85% PHWs were under threat using Trade vs Health arguments)
Conference of Parties (COP7) meeting in India in 2016 began with 500 members of the Farmer’s Association (backed by the tobacco industry) protesting, demanded their participation as important stakeholder.
India currently does not have any specific guidelines on implementing Article 5.3 but draft guidelines on code of conduct are under review in various government departments.
Meanwhile State Governments have made rapid strides in notifying and enforcing Section 5.3 of FCTC (Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu ).

13. Research Questions Objectives
To conduct a desk review of TII in India with regard to enforcement of various tobacco control policy measures
To review Indian policies on elimination of illicit trade of tobacco and countering TII vis-à-vis Article 15 protocol and Article 5.3 guidelines, in order to identify areas of gaps and opportunities for strengthening tobacco control measures.
To conduct in-depth interviews (IDIs) with key stakeholders to identify the opportunities that led to state governments in progressing on adopting Article 5.3 guidelines and barriers that are deterring centre to adopt a code of conduct.
Developing an online surveillance system to record TII and help collate the information to identify the practices of tobacco industries to assist in implementing Article 5.3 guidelines
RQ1: What were the principal barriers experienced by governments in protecting public health policy from TII, while implementing various provisions of COTPA and what are current barriers with specific reference to taxation and illicit trade?
RQ2: What are the existing barriers deterring adoption of draft code of conduct to implement guidelines for Article 5.3?
RQ3: What are the policy enablers that helped states in progressing on notifying Article 5.3 guidelines and assessing implementation successes and barriers of these notifications at the state level?

14. States of India (notified Article 5.3 of WHO FCTC)
Initial Results: Desk Review of State notifications
S. No.
ARTICLE 5.3
RECOMMENDATIONS
States of India (notified Article 5.3 of WHO FCTC)
Tamil Nadu
Bihar
West Bengal
Himachal Pradesh
J & K
Punjab
Maharashtra
  Notification date
Nov 2017
June 2017
Dec 2016
May 2017
Jul 2017
Jul 2015
Oct 2017 1
Raise awareness about tobacco harms and TI interference  2
Limit interaction with TI/ Transparency of interactions
 (Procedure of meeting)
(Procedure of meeting)  - 3
Reject partnerships/ agreements with TI 4
Avoid conflicts of interest for government official
(Code of conduct) 5
Information by TI to be transparent 6
Regulate CSR activities 7
No preferential treatment to TI 8
Others - Empowered Committee

15. Role of TCCP Build capacity of co-investigators and research team
Share the research with government officials
Set up online surveillance system to collate and analyse data to inform implementation of Article 5.3 of the FCTC.
Fill research gaps for strengthening tobacco control measures.

16. Thank You
Questions?