Dr. Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Member of the Health Sector Reform Commission and Chairman of the Community Clinic Health Support Trust, has assured that the commission will thoroughly review the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Law and submit its report accordingly.
He made this assurance today, Saturday (26 April) at a youth conference held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.
He emphasized that fighting against tobacco is a challenging task, but it is a challenge that must be taken on.
At the conference, DORP Youth Forum presented six major proposals in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the draft amendments formulated by the Health Services Division. These proposals include: eliminating designated smoking areas in all public places and public transport to protect non-smokers, banning the display of tobacco products at points of sale to prevent indirect promotion, prohibiting corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by tobacco companies, implementing measures to protect children and youth from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes, banning the sale of loose and single-stick tobacco products, and increasing the size of graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging from 50% to 90%. Additionally, the youth forum highlighted various strategies, achievements, challenges, and demands related to achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh.
Speaking as a special guest, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Director General (Joint Secretary) of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), stated that banning designated smoking areas and the retail sale of single tobacco sticks are already under consideration. He affirmed that all six demands will be implemented gradually.
Hossain Ali Khondker, former Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division, mentioned that Myanmar has amended its tobacco control law 12 times. He emphasized that Bangladesh should learn from Myanmar’s example and expedite the passage of the proposed amendments.
The conference was chaired by A.H.M. Noman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DORP. The keynote presentation was delivered by Mohammad Zobair Hasan, Deputy Executive Director of DORP.
It is worth mentioning that DORP has been engaged in various development initiatives since 1987 and is widely recognized for pioneering the introduction of the Maternity Allowance program in Bangladesh. Continuing this legacy, DORP is currently working to strengthen the tobacco control law, advocate for increased tobacco taxes and prices, and implement various projects aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the government.
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