Lawmakers, experts on public health and tobacco control and anti-tobacco activists at a discussion have said that the tobacco use affects the socio-economic situation and the environment.
Against this backdrop, necessary measures must be taken to control the tobacco use in Bangladesh in the interest of public health. Another amendment to the law is a timely demand in light of the FCTC in order to strengthen the law and close the loopholes in the law. It should be done as soon as early to ensure a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040 as declared by the prime minister, said the speakers.
Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA), Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of DIU and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust jointly arranged the discussion on ‘Responsibilities to Make Tobacco-free Bangladesh’ at Parliament Members’ Club in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday.
Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, president of Bangladesh National Tuberculosis Prevention Association (NATAB) and advisor of Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA); presided over the discussion.
Barrister Shameem Haider Patwari, MP from Gaibanda-1 constituency; moderated the event, while Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, technical adviser at The Union; presented the keynote paper.
Md Habibe Millat MP, MP from Sirajganj-2 constituency; Rana Mohammad Sohail, MP from Nilphamari-3 constituency; Aroma Dutta, MP from Reserved Seat-11; Begum Adiba Anjum Mita, MP from Reserved Seat-37; and Hossain Ali Khandaker, coordinator (additional secretary) of National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC); were present at guests of honour.
Dr Ahmaduzzaman, executive director of Finance Division; Jakir Hossain Bhuyan Masud of WHO; Nasir Uddin Sheikh, country manager of Vital Strategies; Iqbal Masud of Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Fahmida Islam, focal person at STOP; Hamidul Islam Hillon of BER; Shagufta Sultana, project director of Aid Foundation; Syeda Anonna Rahman of WBB Trust; and Md Bazlur Rahman of DIU; also spoke on the occasion, among others.
In his keynote, Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin pointed out the research findings about the tobacco companies’ intervention in tobacco control activities and common misconceptions about tobacco control.
He called upon lawmakers and government officials, who are work on the issue, to play a vital role in amending the tobacco control law and increasing the tax on tobacco products. Mozaffar Hossain Paltu demanded withdrawal of government share from tobacco company to ensure a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040 as declared by the prime minister.
