India has been committed towards strengthening its national tobacco control efforts as well as contribute towards tobacco control, additional secretary MoHFW C K Mishra said while making the announcement today.
"Despite effective, evidence-based tobacco control policies, smoking continues. India played a leading role in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) negotiations and has been striving to implement more tobacco control measures," Mishra said.
It is only through collective resolve of governments, world leaders, development partners and civil society, we can save lives, protect and preserve the health of future generations from harmful effects of tobacco use, he said.
With World Health Assembly adopting a target of 30 per cent relative reduction in tobacco use by 2025, the global narrative on tobacco control is increasingly exploring the concept of 'tobacco endgame', aimed at reducing tobacco availability to minimal levels.
"Since tobacco also degrades the environment, actions to reduce the production and marketing of tobacco must also now be vigorously pursued alongside effective implementation of demand reduction measures," he said.
"The Centre has taken a lead in implementing the WHO FCTC and we remain committed to supporting its endeavours," said Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Country Representative for India.