Experts on public health, tobacco control researchers and anti-tobacco campaigners have emphasised the importance on another amendment to the tobacco control law to reduce diseases and premature deaths in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a discussion on Sunday (December 17, 2023), they said that the number of diseases in the country is increasing day by day due to consumption of tobacco and other harmful products. As a result, the overall health system of the country is becoming weak. Many families go below the poverty line to bear the medical expenses. Tobacco companies are now expanding new other tobacco products through various tactics and lies that ultimately affect the health of the young generation. The main objective of the companies is to profit economically by getting the young generation addicted to drugs, they added.
Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University, Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) jointly arranged the discussion on ‘Cigarette Companies’ Fresh Tactics of Lying: Target Young Generation’ at the conference room of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in the capital.
Speakers of the discussion said that the use of e-cigarettes among youths and students increased in the country. Urgent action against e-cigarettes is a must to protect the health of the young generation of the country.
Hossain Ali Khandaker, coordinator (additional secretary) of National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC); spoke at the event as the chief guest with Helal Ahmed, acting coordinator of BATA; in the chair.
Farhana Zaman Liza, project manager of TCRC; presented the keynote paper at the discussion, while Md. Bazlur Rahman, project director of the TCRC; delivered the welcome speech.
Dr. Arup Ratan Chowdhury, founder president of MANAS; Professor Dr Nauzia Yeasmin, Vice-Chancellor of State University of Bangladesh; Professor Dr. Anupam Hossain, secretary general of Active BD Foundation, Dr. Rumana Huque, a professor of Economics in Dhaka University; and Dr. Nizam Ahmed, executive director of Sastya Surokya Foundation; spoke at the discussion as special guests.
Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, senior technical consultant at global public health organisation Vital Strategies (Bangladesh), Sushanta Kumar Sinha, special correspondent at Ekattor Television; and Fahmida Islam, STOP Bangladesh Focal Point; took part in the discussion as panel discussants.
In his speech, Hossain Ali Khandaker said that it is necessary to strongly demand the control of e-cigarettes at the local and national level along with all the organisations working on tobacco control nationwide.
Apart from this, he emphasised on increasing awareness against the harmful products-- e-cigarettes.
Professor Dr Nauzia Yeasmin said that adequate research is needed on e-cigarettes before they reach the people of all walks of life in Bangladesh. She called upon all to come forward to promote researches through social media.
Professor Dr. Anupam Hossain said that currently, popular actors are showing smoking scenes unnecessarily in drama and movies aired on various popular online platforms. In such a situation, the use of e-cigarettes is being promoted more.
He called upon sportspersons, actors and popular people to join the e-cigarette control campaign through social media.
Professor Dr. Rumana Huque said that e-cigarettes are just as harmful as other conventional tobacco products. Therefore, e-cigarettes need to be banned rather than regulated.