Call for amending tobacco control to make it stronger

Anti-tobacco campaigners at a webinar on Saturday called for enacting a strong tobacco control law to safeguard public health amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

They made the call at a discussion on “Covid-19 and the Need for Strong Tobacco Control Law” jointly organised virtually by PROGGA and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance.

Tobacco products do not only facilitate Covid-19 infection with frequent hand-to-mouth contact of users, but also increase the risk of serious illness once infected with novel coronavirus, says the World Health Organization (WHO).

About 40 million adults who use tobacco products are currently at grave risk of severe coronavirus infection In Bangladesh.

The organisers at the webinar demanded removing the provision of “designated smoking zones” from the tobacco law and banning smoking in all public places, work spaces, and public transports to ensure an absolute tobacco free environment.

They also demanded ban on the display of tobacco products at points of sale, ‘corporate social responsibility’ activities of tobacco companies, sale of single sticks of cigarette and unpackaged tobacco, sale and import of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

They also wanted larger graphic health warnings on packets of tobacco products.

According to a John Hopkins Medicine expert, “Second hand smoke can propel viruses into the air from the nose and throat.”

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury suggested replacing the word “Control” with “Elimination” in the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act 2005 to reflect the prime minister’s vision of a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

PROGGA convener Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, “The proposal for banning loose sale of tobacco products is an important one. We must make it happen. In addition to law amendment, we must work to increase social awareness regarding detrimental effects of tobacco.”

Hossain Ali Khondoker, Coordinator of National Tobacco Control Cell, said, “Our initiative to amend the tobacco control law includes the six amendment proposals. We hope the final amendment would reflect all these proposals.”

Abdul Quayum, Associate Editor of the Daily Prothom Alo, said, “People often think that e-cigarettes are less harmful for our health. But the reality is these are just as harmful as traditional tobacco products. In addition to amendment of the law, we must also ensure its proper implementation.”

Dr Syed Mahfuzul Huq, National Professional Officer of World Health Organization (WHO), said that smokers hospitalised with Covid-19 were found to be at greater risk of severe illness and death.

Md Mostafizur Rahman, Lead Policy Advisor for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Bangladesh said, “Tobacco companies display their products in such a manner so that it draws the attention of the children and adolescents. Such unethical practice should be stopped.”