Parliamentarians in Bangladesh are leading countries in anti-tobacco activities and to achieve tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040, and they will engage themselves in such initiatives in the future too, speakers said on Saturday.
The statement came up during a press conference titled “Tobacco Control Law Amendment for Achieving Tobacco-Free Bangladesh by 2040” at the Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia hall room of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday, read a press release.
The press conference was organised by the “Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing (BPFHW)” along with the secretariat organisation of the forum, the national development organisation Shastho Shurokkha Foundation.
67 per cent of the country's total deaths each year are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), one of which is the use of tobacco and products. Realizing the dangers of tobacco, HPM Sheikh Hasina announced to make Bangladesh tobacco-free by 2040.
BPFHW was formed with the participation of parliamentarians working on amending the existing Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products (Control) law to achieve tobacco-free Bangladesh.
“We have noticed that there are some gaps in the current law which need to be ameliorated,” said the event’s chief guest Member of Parliament Md Habibe Millat. He also mentioned a number of anti-tobacco measures that BPFHW has taken recently.
“We are already noticing the benefits of these initiatives. A number of recommendations have already been incorporated into the proposed revised law in a concerted effort by all anti-tobacco communities,” the lawmaker said.
“However, this is the first step in amending the law. But we are hopeful, very soon we will be able to achieve our desired goal,” he added.
Shastho Shurokkha Foundation Executive Director and public health specialist Dr Nizam Uddin Ahmed presented the important aspects of amending the Tobacco Act. It was mentioned in his presentation that it is necessary to amend the existing tobacco control laws by taking measures such as a complete ban on smoking in public places and public transport as well as on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of tobacco companies, etc.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Bangladesh Lead Policy Advisor Mostafizur Rahman, Shastho Shurokkha Foundation Director Dr Rafiqul Islam Ratnagarva Farida Zaman School & Collage Founder Chairman Farida Zaman, as well as doctors, public health specialists, representatives from Anti-Tobacco organisations, students from different institutions, volunteers, and journalists, were present in the press conference.
