The meeting was informed that 1 lakh 61 thousand people die of tobacco related diseases every year in Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands more became paralyzed. About 4 crore adults still use tobacco in the country, which is a matter of great concern. COURTESY
The Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATTA) has demanded immediate amendments to the Tobacco Control Act to protect public health. The media workers' organization made the demand at a virtual meeting of Atma on Wednesday, March 18, 2022. The meeting was informed that 1 lakh 61 thousand people die of tobacco related diseases every year in Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands more became paralyzed. About 4 crore adults still use tobacco in the country, which is a matter of great concern. Therefore, the current tobacco control law needs to be updated through amendments.
Atma's proposals for inclusion in the amendment to the Tobacco Control Act include ensuring a 100% smoke-free environment by banning smoking in all public places, workplaces and public transport, including the abolition of 'designated places for smoking'; Ban the display of tobacco products at the point of sale; A complete ban on tobacco companies' social responsibility programs or CSR activities; Prohibit the retail sale of bidi-cigarettes and unpacked jorda-gul; Prohibit the import and sale of all emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP); And stricter restrictions on the packaging of tobacco products, including increasing the size of illustrated health warnings.
Co-Convener Mizan Chowdhury highlighted Atma's activities online in the presence of about forty members, conducted by Atma's Co-Convener Nadira Kiran. Editor of Desh TV Sukant Gupta Alok participated in the special discussion. Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK), Bangladesh's Lead Policy Advisor, participated as a guest speaker. Mostafizur Rahman, Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener of Atma, ABM Jubayer, Executive Director of Pragya, Hasan Shahriar and others.
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