Anti-tobacco research and advocacy organisation PROGGA has raised a demand for strengthening tobacco control law through an amendment to keep the youth free from tobacco.
The organisation made the demand in a press release on the occasion of International Youth Day to be observed Thursday.
“The day is of particular significance for Bangladesh, a country the youth make almost half of the entire population. They are the real craftsmen behind the advancement of Bangladesh. However, if they become addicted to tobacco, they will not be able to realise the dream of a developed Bangladesh,” said the release.
“Only a strong tobacco control law can protect this demographic from tobacco's poisonous embrace.”
The release reads: “According to the latest information provided by Tobacco Atlas, in Bangladesh, the number of tobacco users aged between 10 to 14 years is more than 172,000. Getting hooked on tobacco at such an early age gradually decreases the ability of the lungs. Tobacco is also responsible for lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, premature ageing, mental unrest and several other serious ailments.”
According to World Health Organization (WHO), those who start lighting up in their adolescence are 3 times more likely to become an alcoholic and 22 times more likely to become cocaine-addicted, it added.
“Tobacco is a colossal impediment that needs to be overcome to build a healthy generation. To discourage the youth from tobacco the existing tobacco control law should be amended at the earliest to make it more time-fitting and strong,” said ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA.
To safeguard the youth from tobacco, the amendment must include banning the display of tobacco products at points of sale, banning the sale of single stick of bidi and cigarette, banning sale and import of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, increasing the area for Graphic Health Warning on tobacco packs to 90 per cent, and eliminating provisions for designated smoking areas in public places and transportations, he added.
