DORP officials, MPs for stepping up anti-tobacco activities

Anti-tobacco activists and lawmakers have recommended stepping up activities to make Bangladesh tobacco-free by 2040 in line with the target set by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

They made the recommendation at a seminar titled ‘Expectations for policymakers to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh before 2040, announced by the Honorable Prime Minister’ at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, organised by the Development Organization of the Rural Poor (DORP).

“Government has set the target to stop tobacco use by 2040. But at the current pace of anti-tobacco activities and programmes, the target will not be achieved,” said DORP Executive Director Md Zobair Hasan.

He also said, “In a first in the world, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared to permanently ban tobacco products in the country by 2040 in order to protect people's health.”

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Md Enamur Rahman MP, state minister, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, promised to play a vital role in speeding up activities to implement the ban.

“We know that there are various health risks associated with smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products. Campaigns should be stepped up to make everyone aware of the harmful effects of tobacco,” he said.

Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari, MP, Gaibandha-1, Kazi Zebunnessa Begum, additional secretary (Global Health) and program director, National Tobacco Control Cell, and Hossain Ali Khondoker, additional secretary and coordinator, National Tobacco Control Cell were present as special guests at the seminar.

DORP has recommended strengthening tobacco control laws including eliminating designated smoking areas in all public places and on public transportation, prohibiting tobacco companies from engaging in corporate social responsibility activities, and banning the display of tobacco products at retail locations.