Perception of Threat and Efficacy in Contracting COVID-19 Infection among Tobacco Users - A Cross-sectional Analytical Study from Four Indian States.

Background: To trigger quit intention and practice of preventive measures for COVID-19 among tobacco users; it is imperative for them to be well aware of the fact that they are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and should be at higher efficacy to practice preventive measures for the disease as compared to nonusers of tobacco.

Objectives: This community-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from April 2020 to May 2020 among 1203 adult participants to compare the threat and efficacy perception among users and nonusers of tobacco.

Materials And Methods: Perception of threat was assessed using three questions on perceived threat and one question on perceived susceptibility; whereas perception of efficacy was assessed using four questions each on self-efficacy and response efficacy through telephonic interview.

Communicating risk: Status of health warning labels on various tobacco products in Indian market.

Background: Owing to the role of tobacco packaging as a strong medium of communication, display of health warnings on tobacco packs effectively impart health risks of tobacco consumption to those currently using or contemplating the use of tobacco.

Methods: This community based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 2044 tobacco product packs, each collected from a different PoS, to estimate the non-compliance of section 7, 8 & 9 of COTPA among various tobacco products and its association with the PoS characteristics. Data were collected by observation of PoS by field investigators and then purchase of a unique product from each vendor followed by a brief interview of the tobacco vendor.

Prevalence and factors associated with the sale of loose cigarettes at Point of Sale: A cross-sectional analytical study from four Indian states.

Background: The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has established that sale of loose cigarettes increases the affordability and accessibility of tobacco for minors. Acknowledging this threat to public health, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India amended the Legal Metrology Act to prohibit sale of loose cigarettes. Regardless, over 70% of the total cigarette sale in the country is in the form of loose cigarettes majority of which is being sold at unrecognized, unrecorded and unregulated informal sector of economy.

Pricing of tobacco products: Pre and post GST implementation.

There is ample evidence stating that any taxation policy that effectively increases the real price of tobacco products reduces its use. In the past, several countries have documented instances; wherein the intended effects of tobacco taxation were undermined by aggressive pricing strategies of the industry. However, there is a dearth of such evidence in Indian context.