Point-of-Sale Tobacco Advertisement Violations in Two Urban Cities of Eastern India: A Cross-Sectional Compliance Assessment

Background India’s Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, prohibits tobacco advertisements at the point-of-sale (POS), mandates warning signage, and restricts sales near educational institutions. However, on-ground violations remain widespread. This study assessed compliance with Sections 4, 5, and 6 of COTPA across POS outlets in two urban cities of Odisha. Methods A cross-sectional observational survey was conducted across 102 POS outlets in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack during March–April 2024. Data was collected using Epicollect5 and included indicators such as type of advertisement, presence of health warnings, warning board size, sale to/by minors, and location in public places. Results Brand name displays were observed in 65.7% of outlets. Nearly 36% lacked any warning signage, and 21.6% had boards larger than the legally permitted size. Sales to minors were recorded in 44.1% of outlets. Many POS were located in or near public places such as schools, hospitals, markets, and government offices, reflecting violations under Sections 4 and 6. Only 15.7% had “No Smoking” or “Under 18 Sale Prohibited” signage. Conclusion Non-compliance with tobacco control laws at POS remains a significant challenge. The findings underscore the need for stronger enforcement, routine inspections, and awareness-building among vendors to reduce exposure to tobacco advertisements and access, particularly for minors.