Smoking is now permitted on many cruise ships. Apart from this, the display and sale of tobacco products continue on the boats. As there is no direct obstacle in this regard in the law, the concerned parties are not able to take necessary measures. For this reason, the leaders of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger Carrier) Association-BIWPCA strongly demanded the speedy passage of the amended draft of the Tobacco Control Act. The leaders of the organization made this demand in a joint discussion meeting with the Dhaka Ahsania Mission on 24 September held at Purana Paltan.
The meeting was presided over by Senior Vice President Alhaj Md. Badiuzzaman Badal. Abdus Salam Mia, Grants Manager of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh, Vice President of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger Carrier) Association-BIWPCA Abul Kalam Khan, Director SM Abdul Jabbar, Member Md. Mamun Or Rashid, Member Abdul Qayyum Sheikh, Secretary Siddiqur Rahman Patwari, Dhaka Ahsania Mission Health Sector Deputy Director Md Mokhleshur Rahman, Tobacco Control Project Coordinator Md Shariful Islam, Media Manager Rezaur Rahman Rizvi, Program Officer Sharmin Akhter Rini & Adut Rahman Emon were present in the meeting.
Several loopholes in the existing tobacco control laws were highlighted in the discussion. Abdus Salam Miah, Grants Manager of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh, said that if the revised draft tobacco control law is passed, the gaps in the tobacco control law will be minimized. Besides, tobacco use among those who use tobacco will decrease and new ones will be discouraged to take up tobacco. On the other hand, it will be possible to completely stop smoking in public transport including launches.
Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger Carrier) Association-BIWPCA Alhaj Md. Badiuzzaman Badal said that the Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger Carrier) Association-BIWPCA was involved in various anti-tobacco activities before. We will continue to be closely associated with anti-tobacco activities in the future. He strongly demanded the speedy passage of the amended draft Tobacco Control Act. During his speech, the present members of the organization supported him.