Introduction:
Maharashtra has 26.6% (2.4 crore) adult population (15+) uses tobacco. In India, 5,500 children initiate tobacco use every day and 530 in Maharashtra, only 3% to 4% are able to quit. Maharashtra has about 1.07 lac schools both Government & Private schools. Population 12.5 Crores. District: 36. Police Station: 1150. Govt. Primary and Secondary High Schools: 108713 COTPA ACT 2003: The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) 2003 Key Sections: Section 4: Prohibition on smoking in public places, Section 5: Prohibition on direct and indirect advertising, promotion and sponsorship, Section 6 (a): Prohibition on sale of tobacco products to minors, Section 6 (b): Prohibition on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational Institutions, Section 7: Mandatory pictorial health warning on packets.

Objectives:
Creating awareness & Advocacy to Implement COTPA ACT 2003 by Police Dept. & Education Dept. to make Public places and school campuses tobacco free in Maharashtra.

Methods:
Necessary orders released by the Police Department in Feb 2018; Awareness about COTPA Act and implementing it will help reduce tobacco burden. Training and sensitization program for the District Police Officers. Training and advocacy for Police Academy's & Police Training Centre’s. Regular & sustainable Challans/fine at the prominent places including around schools and public places in the districts by Police.

Results:
Numbers of Police Stations activated for taking actions were 315/408. Total of 3238 Police Officers were trained till July 2019. No. of Challans in activated districts: 21,785 till July 2019. Print Media Story released on training & Challan action 282 till August 2019.

Conclusion(s):
Strategic advocacy & sensitization program to the police officers for enforcing the COTPA Law will reduce the prevalence of tobacco usage in the District / State and as well as in the country.