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Published : 28 May 2025, 10:31 PM
Tobacco control campaigners have urged the interim government to strengthen existing laws, adopt effective pricing measures, and enforce World Health Organisation guidelines to shield the youth from the tobacco industry’s tactics.
The call came at a virtual press conference on Tuesday, jointly organised by The Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) and PROGGA - Knowledge for Progress, in the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day 2025 on May 31.
The theme of this year's World No Tobacco Day is “Tamak Companir Kutokoushal Unmachan Kori, Tamak O Nicotine Mukto Bangladesh Gori.”
“As one generation of tobacco users passes away or quits due to illness and health hazards involved, the tobacco industry must assemble a new batch of 'loyal' customers from the youth to keep its business 'afloat' and the profit coming,” said PROGGA and ATMA in a joint statement.
“Once entrapped by the allure of the advertisement and hooked on deadly addiction, the youth become sure business for the companies until these 'loyal' customers make their way to the grave, only to be replaced by a new batch of consumers,” it read.
In Bangladesh, tobacco use claims 161,000 lives every year.
Despite being the root cause of so many casualties and illnesses, the tobacco industry “often evades accountability and runs business unscathed,” the organisers said.
Against this backdrop, experts recommended that the government strengthen the existing tobacco control law, adopt effective tax and price measures, and implement Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
It was also pointed out that the youth have become the primary target of tobacco industry’s aggressive advertisement and promotional campaign.
A 2016 study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed that 487 of 507 retailers located within 100 metres of schools in Dhaka displayed tobacco products beside candy, chocolates and soft drinks.
“To get children and adolescents hooked on nicotine products, the tobacco industry resorts to a wide range of ill tactics,” the campaigners said.
E-cigarettes and vape products are now marketed in flavours like bubblegum, cherry and chocolate, making it harder for school-goers to distinguish them from regular snacks.
The WHO has identified at least 16,000 flavours being used in vape products to attract potential customers.
Moreover, these products are being manufactured and sold in the shape of USB sticks, pens and candy, making it easier for young users to conceal them from parents.
Speakers at the event called on the government to ensure speedy finalisation of the ongoing amendment to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2013, and to keep the process free from tobacco industry interference.
They also demanded merging the low and medium tiers of cigarettes in the upcoming national budget for FY2026, reducing the number of cigarette price tiers from four to three.
Other proposals raised included: divesting government shares from tobacco companies, removing cigarettes from the list of essential products, and banning advertisement, promotion and marketing of tobacco and nicotine products on social media outlets.
The event was hosted by Nadira Kiron, co-convener of ATMA, while Hasan Shahriar, head of Programmes at PROGGA, presented the key points.
Speakers included Dr Liakat Ali, member of the Health Sector Reform Commission; Prof Dr Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, president of Bangladesh Cancer Society; Prof Dr Anupam Hossain, public health expert and international sports development consultant; Md Mostafizur Rahman, former Chairman of BCIC; Md Ruhul Quddus, former coordinator of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC); Saifuddin Ahmed, executive director of WBB Trust; Shaheen Akter Dolly, executive director of Nari Maitree; Prof Rumana Haque, Department of Economics at Dhaka University; AKM Maksud, executive director of Grambangla Unnayan Committee; Helal Ahmed, general secretary of Prattyasha; Shagufta Sultana, project director of Aid Foundation; Mortuza Haider Liton, convenor of ATMA; Mizan Chowdhury, co-convener of ATMA; and AMB Zubair, executive director of PROGGA.
