Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India
Introduction India continues to enhance tobacco control regulations protecting the public health while housing a widespread tobacco industry. This implies complexities in regulating tobacco. As part of a broader inquiry on the political economy of tobacco, we aimed to understand the concerns of Indi...
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BMJ Publishing Group
2021-04-01
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| Series: | BMJ Global Health |
| Online Access: | https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004093.full |
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| author | Upendra Bhojani Amiti Varma Latha Chilgod |
| author_facet | Upendra Bhojani Amiti Varma Latha Chilgod |
| author_sort | Upendra Bhojani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction India continues to enhance tobacco control regulations protecting the public health while housing a widespread tobacco industry. This implies complexities in regulating tobacco. As part of a broader inquiry on the political economy of tobacco, we aimed to understand the concerns of Indian parliamentarians around tobacco.Methods We sourced transcripts of tobacco-related questions asked by parliamentarians between the years 1999 and 2019 from the electronic archives of both the houses of Indian parliament. We analysed the frequency of questions during different regimens, segregated by the states and the political parties that parliamentarians belonged to, as well as by the government ministries to which these questions were posed. We also conducted thematic content analysis of these questions, identifying specific themes defining parliamentarians’ concerns.Results 729 unique parliamentarians asked 1315 questions about tobacco, conveying varied concerns related to health, commerce, labour and agriculture sectors. Over time, the focus of the questions shifted from majorly trade to majorly health-related concerns. We show how the tobacco regulations in India are multi-institutional and are a result of negotiations of several legitimate and competing, interests. We found important state-level differences in the number and nature of these questions.Conclusion Parliamentary questions constitute a useful resource in studying tobacco politics. Tobacco regulations are a product of complex negotiation of varied and competing concerns. We identify core arguments in favour and against tobacco control that would help tobacco control advocates and agencies to better prepare and engage with diverse political voices around tobacco. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e382cc7c56bd4f3a88e6736a52d5ecef |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2059-7908 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Global Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e382cc7c56bd4f3a88e6736a52d5ecef2025-08-20T02:31:24ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Global Health2059-79082021-04-016410.1136/bmjgh-2020-004093Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in IndiaUpendra Bhojani0Amiti Varma1Latha Chilgod2Cluster on Chronic conditions and public policies, Institute of Public Health Bengaluru, Bangalore, Karnataka, IndiaCluster on Chronic Health Conditions and Public Policy, Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru, Karnataka, IndiaCluster on Chronic Health Conditions and Public Policy, Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru, Karnataka, IndiaIntroduction India continues to enhance tobacco control regulations protecting the public health while housing a widespread tobacco industry. This implies complexities in regulating tobacco. As part of a broader inquiry on the political economy of tobacco, we aimed to understand the concerns of Indian parliamentarians around tobacco.Methods We sourced transcripts of tobacco-related questions asked by parliamentarians between the years 1999 and 2019 from the electronic archives of both the houses of Indian parliament. We analysed the frequency of questions during different regimens, segregated by the states and the political parties that parliamentarians belonged to, as well as by the government ministries to which these questions were posed. We also conducted thematic content analysis of these questions, identifying specific themes defining parliamentarians’ concerns.Results 729 unique parliamentarians asked 1315 questions about tobacco, conveying varied concerns related to health, commerce, labour and agriculture sectors. Over time, the focus of the questions shifted from majorly trade to majorly health-related concerns. We show how the tobacco regulations in India are multi-institutional and are a result of negotiations of several legitimate and competing, interests. We found important state-level differences in the number and nature of these questions.Conclusion Parliamentary questions constitute a useful resource in studying tobacco politics. Tobacco regulations are a product of complex negotiation of varied and competing concerns. We identify core arguments in favour and against tobacco control that would help tobacco control advocates and agencies to better prepare and engage with diverse political voices around tobacco.https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004093.full |
| spellingShingle | Upendra Bhojani Amiti Varma Latha Chilgod Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India BMJ Global Health |
| title | Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India |
| title_full | Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India |
| title_fullStr | Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India |
| title_short | Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India |
| title_sort | diverse and competing interests around tobacco qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in india |
| url | https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004093.full |
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