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Currently 43% people use tobacco. Tobacco use is increasing due to company’s advertisements and loopholes of tobacco control law. Tobacco law is being amended with provisions of pictorial health warning to reduce tobacco use. State Minister of Health, Captain (Of) Dr. Mozibur Rahman Fakir gave this announcement at a discussion meeting organized by Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) on the occasion of National No Tobacco Day today. The program was chaired by Saifuddin Ahmed, Coordinator of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) while Dr. Enamul Haq, former IGP & former member of Law Commission and Mozaffor Hossain Paltu, President of The Union Asia Pacific Region and Senior Vice-President of NATAB addressed in the function as special guests.

State Minister said, tobacco inflicts 1.2 million people every year with cancer, Heart Disease, Tuberculosis, Asthma and other chronic diseases among which 57 thousands die and 4 lakh become physically disabled. He also said, it not only makes people sick but also causes huge economic loss. It also increases government costs for treating the tobacco borne diseases. Government has to spend twice of the revenue got from tobacco companies. He added.

Dr. Enamul Haq said, corporate institutions should have CSR initiatives but such CSR by business entities like tobacco companies which lead people to death should strongly be checked. Besides, CSR campaign by tobacco companies should be banned because its main objective is to hamper tobacco control initiatives. He also called upon speakers and concerned authority for withdrawal of tree plantation at National Assembly premises by company’s finance. Mass media, govt. and tobacco control workers should be vigilant against company’s hindrance for tobacco control. He added.

Mozaffor Hossain Paltu said, tobacco farming ruins arable lands. It not only diminishes fertility but also causes severe impacts on environment. Tobacco leaves are cured through indiscriminate deforestation. Women and children are affected because of their involvement in tobacco farming. Companies are jeopardizing lands of hill tracts but lands of Manikgonj, nearby district of Dhaka. Strict ban should be imposed on tobacco farming at arable lands. He also called upon to pass the law as soon as possible.

Saifuddin Ahmed said, District and Sub-district level taskforces have been working actively for law implementation; now-a-days smoking at bus stoppage, and offices are not seen as it was before. As a result, people are smoking at open spaces like roads and streets. No direct tobacco ads are noticed. Yet, companies are violating laws taking flaws of existing law. So, the proposed law amendment should be enacted with utmost importance.

Aminul Islam Sujon, Executive Editor of ‘Samoswar’, a quarterly publication of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) moderated the function while M Rafiqul Islam Milon, Secretary (Program) of BATA, Helal Ahmed, Secretary General of Protyasha Anti-Drugs Club, Ibnul Syed Rana, Chairman of Nirapad Development Foundation (NDF), Kazi Enayet Hossain, Executive Director of Save the Costal People (SCOPE), A T M Shahidul Islam, Executive Director of RAAC, Sheema Das Sheemu, Representative of Anti-Tobacco Nari Jote (TABINAJ), K M Rafiqul Islam Ripon, Executive Director of Polli Sheeba Society (PSS), and Arifur Rahman Murad, Executive Director of SARDA addressed in the function.