‘Citizens, policymakers should work together to strengthen tobacco control law’

Speakers have called for the collaborative efforts of the citizens and policymakers to strengthen the country’s existing tobacco control law.

They made the call at a views exchange meeting, titled “Contemporary Anti-Tobacco Movements and Public Thought,” organised by Unnayan Shamannay at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Bhaban in Dhaka on Wednesday.

They also noted that designated smoking areas, displaying smoking scenes in movies on condition, and corporate social responsibility by tobacco companies must be outlawed. 

The session was chaired by Unnayan Shamannay Chairman and former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman. Media professionals from print and electronic media houses attended the event.

At the beginning of the session, Atiur pointed out that policymakers have not only played a notable role in reducing tobacco consumption in Bangladesh and the citizens but also provided significant support in anti-tobacco movements.

He added that citizens and policymakers should work together to fulfil the commitment of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through stricter tobacco control laws and their implementation.

The meeting was also attended by Rajshahi-2 MP Fazle Hossain Badsha, Patuakhali-3 MP SM Shahzada, Freedom Fighter Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury, veteran TV and film actor Abul Hayat, former actor and Nirapad Sarak Chai Founder and Chairman Ilias Kanchan, former national football player Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu, and journalist Sushanta K Sinha, among others.

Badsha, also the general secretary of Bangladesh Workers’ Party, said that a negative impression has been created in general people’s minds against tobacco. The dream of a tobacco-free Bangladesh can proceed if the tobacco control laws are stringent.

Shahzada added, “It is evident that the use of tobacco increased at the time of the election campaign. Necessary steps should be taken against the tradition of tempting the voters with bidis and cigarettes during election time.”

Abul Hayat said, “Displaying smoking scenes on TV on condition should be totally banned and the rule of disallowing the smoking scenes should be initiated.”

Ekushey Padak winner Dr Choudhury urged, “The UN has declared that the poisonous elements like bidis, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes should be avoided. Our people died more from tobacco diseases than the coronavirus, so it is high time to strengthen tobacco control laws.”

Kanchan stressed, “We cannot do anything if the laws are not strong enough. In the upcoming national election, the election commission should clearly announce that whoever distributes bidis-cigarettes in the election campaign, appropriate punishments will be implemented against them.”