The process of banning e-cigarettes in Bangladesh has been initiated. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced that a plan to ban vaping products in the country is underway.
The step has been taken to bring another amendment to the ‘Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2013’ and the proposal of ban on e-cigarette has been incorporated in the draft.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is now on the way to ban e-cigarette in Bangladesh. The draft law amendment has been prepared. There is a proposal to ban e-cigarette, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, MP.
Speaking as the chief guest during a national programme, the minister said that the proposed amendment to the tobacco control law would be placed in the Parliament soon with the goal of achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040 as promised by the Prime Minister. “We placed the proposal of banning e-cigarette in the draft amended law,” he said.
The Health Service Division of the ministry arranged the programme at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Sunday (June 11, 2023) on the occasion of the ‘World No Tobacco Day-2023.’
The National Award for Tobacco Control-2023’ by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a testament to commendable contributions towards the advancement of the tobacco control programme in Bangladesh was handed over at the event.
Zahid Maleque, MP, along with high officials of the ministry handed over the crest and certificate to 10 individuals and organizations in nine categories in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the national tobacco control activities in the country from their respective fields.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader, secretary of Health Services Division of the ministry, presided over the programme, while Md. Saidur Rahman, additional secretary (global health) of the ministry; delivered the welcome speech and Hossain Ali Khondokar, an additional secretary of Health Services Division who is coordinator at the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC); presented the keynote paper at the event.
Dr. Humayun Kabir, secretary of the Ministry of Railways; and Dr Bardan Jung Rana, Bangladesh representative of World Health Organization (WHO); spoke on the occasion as special guests.
Ten individuals and organisations received the ‘National Award for Tobacco Control-2023’, the highest award in Bangladesh over tobacco control issue in Bangladesh; in nine categories.
The award recipients are- Ehsanul Haque Jasim in journalist (print media) category, Sushanta Sinha in journalist (electronic media category), the Ministry of Railways in the 'Government Organization' category, Khulna Task Force Committee in the 'District Task Force Committee' category, Jibannagar Upazila Task Force Committee of Chuadanga District in the 'Upazila Task Force Committee' category, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rakibul Islam in the 'Best Mobile Court Operator Official' category, Sanitary Inspector Tariqul Islam and Md Al Amin Rahman respectively in the 'Authorized Officer' category, Jhenaidah Municipality in the 'Local Government Institution' category, Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing in the 'Non-Governmental Organisation' category.
A huge number of representatives from government and non-government bodies, anti-tobacco organisations and international organisations, including WHO, participated in the national event and award giving ceremony.
Among them, Begum Shireen Ahmed, MP, Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, executive director and Prof. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, director of Shastho Shurokkha Foundation, which is the secretariat of Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing; Professor Dr. Khandaker Ghulam Mohiuddin Faruque, president of Bangladesh Cancer Society; Jalal Uddin Ahmmed, joint secretary (admin) and project director of Ministry of Railways; Shafiqul Islam, head of programs - Bangladesh at the Vital Strategies; Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Lead Policy Adviser, CTFK; Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, technical adviser at the Union; Aminul Islam Sujan of Vital Strategies; Syeda Anonna Rahman of WBB Trust; and Aminul Islam Bakul of DAS.
In his speech, Zahid Maleque praised the country’s progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while acknowledging the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and respiratory ailments.
He expressed his congratulations to the award recipients for their national award in tobacco control.
Prof. Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, MP, chairman of the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing has received National Award for Tobacco Control-2023 on behalf of the forum.
He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the recognition and emphasized the vital role played by the members of parliament and the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum in tobacco control efforts. He extended his appreciation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been instrumental in guiding the nation towards a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040.
Prof. Millat also acknowledged the sincere support of the Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in this anti-tobacco movement. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s emphasis on utilizing all available land for food production rather than cultivating tobacco, aligning with the vision of a healthier and prosperous nation.
In his presidential speech, Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader expressed his gratitude towards the Prime Minister for her commitment to establishing a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040. He acknowledged that this announcement would greatly facilitate their efforts in achieving this goal and mentioned the upcoming amendment to the tobacco control law, which will be presented in Parliament as soon as early.