The existing law structure needs to be strengthened and the factors that are encouraging the general people to smoke need to be prohibited to make Bangladesh tobacco-free, speakers at an opinion exchange session urged on Wednesday.
Unnayan Shamannay, a non-government think tank organised the event, titled “Contemporary Anti-Tobacco Movements and Public Thought,” at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Bhaban, Dhaka, read a press release.
Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Unnayan Shamannay’s Chairman Dr Atiur Rahman chaired the session. Media professionals from print and electronic media houses participated in the event.
“Policymakers have not only played a notable role in reducing tobacco consumption in Bangladesh, but also provided significant support in anti-tobacco movements,” Dr Atiur Rahman pointed out at the beginning of the session.
“Citizens and policymakers should work together to fulfil the commitment of the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through stricter tobacco control laws and their implementation,” the former governor of Bangladesh Bank added.
Lawmakers Fazle Hossain Badsha and SM Shahzada, Freedom Fighter Professor Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury, and legendary Bangladeshi actor Abul Hayat spoke at the event.
Former actor and founder and chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai (We Demand Safe Roads), Ilias Kanchan and former national football player Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu and journalist Sushanta K Sinha and others were also present in the session.
“The dream of a tobacco-free Bangladesh can proceed if the tobacco control laws are stringent,” Fazle Hossain Badsha, General Secretary of Bangladesh Workers’ Party said.
Lawmaker SM Shahzada shared, “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 the TV screen on condition should be totally banned and this rule of disallowing the smoking scenes should be initiated.”
Recipient of the Ekushey Padak, Professor Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury urged, “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,” he added.
Ilias Kanchan, renowned actor and founder and chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai (We Demand Safe Road) said, “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,” he urged.
National award receiver and former Football player Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu claims, “all types of smoking should be avoided for a healthy life as the usage of tobacco creates a health hazard.”
