THE CIGARETTES AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS
(PROHIBITION OF ADVERTISEMENT AND REGULATION
OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, PRODUCTION, SUPPLY
AND DISTRIBUTION) ACT, 2003 (COTPA)
No. 34 of 2003 [18th May, 2003]
An Act to prohibit the advertisement of, and to provide for the regulation of trade and commerce in,
and production, supply and distribution of, cigarettes and other tobacco products and for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.
WHEREAS, the Resolution passed by the 39th World Health Assembly (WHO), in its Fourteenth Plenary
meeting held on the 15th May, 1986 urged the member States of WHO which have not yet done so to
implement the measures to ensure that effective protection is provided to non-smokers from involuntary
exposure to tobacco smoke and to protect children and young people from being addicted to the use of
tobacco;
AND WHEREAS, the 43rd World Health Assembly in its Fourteenth Plenary meeting held on the 17th
May, 1990, reiterated the concerns expressed in the Resolution passed in the 39th World Health Assembly
and urged Member States to consider in their tobacco control strategies plans for legislation and other
effective measures for protecting their citizens with special attention to risk groups such as pregnant
women and children from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke, discourage the use of tobacco and
impose progressive restrictions and take concerted action to eventually eliminate all direct and indirect
advertising, promotion and sponsorship concerning tobacco;
AND WHEREAS, it is considered expedient to enact a comprehensive law on tobacco in the public
interest and to protect the public health;
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to prohibit the consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products
which are injurious to health with a view to achieving improvement of public health in general as enjoined
by article 47 of the Constitution;
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to prohibit the advertisement of, and to provide for regulation of trade
and commerce, production, supply and distribution of, cigarettes and other tobacco products and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto:
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-fourth Year of the Republic of India
Jointly supported by
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India
World Health Organization, Country Office for India