Table 3 Role of tobacco industry in interfering tobacco control activities in India

Influencing the policy and administrative decisions

Projected revenue generation and livelihood creation

Providing sponsorships for government events & political parties

Using policy loopholes

Offering undue favors

Lack of prioritization towards tobacco control

Interference with implementation of tobacco control laws and activities

Interference in the judiciary system

Interfering with work of tobacco control officials

Interference in functioning of NGOs who work on tobacco control

Prompting sellers for non-cooperation with tobacco control officials

False propaganda and hiding the truth

Exaggerating the economic impact of tobacco and loss of livelihood

Hiding facts about tobacco harms

Promoting CSR activities to gain social respectability

Hiding involvement in sponsored events

Misguiding tobacco growers

Manipulating through front action groups

Instigating protests and non-cooperation

Threatening tobacco shop owners

Rampant tobacco advertising and promotion activities

Promoting surrogate advertisements

Creating new customer base with attractive offers

Support and bonus for tobacco shops and vendors

Others

Evidence of Government honoring tobacco industry officials

Poor awareness on harmful effects of tobacco among ancillary stakeholders of tobacco industry

Lack of cohesion at institutional levels for tobacco control discussion at state and national level

Lack of understanding and support for tobacco control initiatives

Situational priority i.e. tobacco control taking backseat over other priority issues