Students of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) have called for stopping the promotion of smoking and drug use through artists in films, dramas and web series.
The students made the call during a campaign programme held at Uttara in the capital on Tuesday (November 26, 2024).
Madok Draba O Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS-Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse) and the IUBAT jointly arranged the programme demanding steps against tobacco promotion in dramas, films and web series.
The campaign programme included human chain, rally, signature campaigns, and leaflet distribution.
Experts on public health also joined the campaign programme and raised the demand.
Professor Dr. Abdur Rab Mia, vice chancellor of the IUBAT, inaugurated the campaign programme where Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Choudhury, founder president of MANAS, was present as the guest of honour. Teachers of the university and officials from the Tobacco Control Project of MANAS were also present at the programme.
Umme Jannat, project coordinator of MANAS, moderated the event.
In his speech, Professor Dr. Abdur Rab Mia said that smoking scenes and drug use in movies and dramas can bring negative results. Therefore, it is necessary to stop scenes of tobacco and drug use in all entertainment programmes soon.
Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Choudhury said that smoking and drug addiction have increased significantly among teenagers, which is worrying! Currently, it is seen that scenes of using various types of tobacco products are being broadcast in dramas, films and web series in violation of the tobacco control law. In order to mislead the youth, scenes of using e-cigarettes in addictive products are being broadcast in popular entertainment programs to glamorize and present them as less harmful products. Children love to imitate. Scenes of using tobacco and other products through celebrities are one of the reasons for increasing the incitement to use tobacco among the youth. Therefore, the promotion of tobacco and all other addictive products in dramas, films and web series must be stopped.
The participants of the programme called upon the directors, producers and artists to focus on social awareness and various positive issues in films instead of smoking and drugs.
