Youth advocates urge for stronger Tobacco Control Laws

Every year, 161,000 people in Bangladesh die from diseases caused by tobacco consumption. Young people from various educational institutions are calling for stronger tobacco control laws to protect public health from this harmful drug.

A workshop called 'Capacity Building Workshop for Youth Advocates against Tobacco' was organized by Non-government women's development organization Nari Maitree at the Krishibid Institute in the capital on Saturday (September 21). A total of 40 students participated in the workshop, advocating for amendments to the existing tobacco control laws.

The event was presided over by Nari Maitree’s Executive Director Shaheen Akter Dolly. Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, the Director General of the Department of Youth Development, was the chief guest. Special guests included Tanusree Halder, an Associate Professor at Sher-E Bangla Agricultural University, and Dipty Chowdhury, a youth social media influencer and presenter on Channel i.

Key speakers at the event included Md. Abdus Salam Miah, Programs Manager at Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh (CTFK), Humaira Sultana, Communications Manager at CTFK and Ataur Rahman, Advocacy Manager at CTFK. Key speakers emphasized the need to pass the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, drafted by the Ministry of Health. These amendments aim to align the law with the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) by eliminating designated smoking areas in public places and transport, banning tobacco displays at retail points, prohibiting CSR activities by tobacco companies, banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and increasing health warnings on packaging to 90%.

Nari Maitree’s Project Coordinator Nasrin Akter highlighted the critical need for these reforms, stating that around 37.8 million people in Bangladesh use tobacco, and 442 individuals die daily from tobacco-related illnesses. Shaheen Akter Dolly, in her address, underscored the importance of a tobacco-free Bangladesh in building a healthy future generation, while Tanusree Halder emphasized the growing trend of e-cigarette use among youth, warning that it poses a severe threat to public health.

Youth social media influencer Dipty Chowdhury encouraged everyone to use digital platforms to speak out against tobacco, highlighting how important social media is for raising health awareness. She praised Nari Maitree for hosting the event and expressed hope that young people would use their platforms to actively support anti-tobacco campaigns and advocate for stronger tobacco control in online spaces. Additionally, she urged the youth to avoid tobacco use themselves and to speak out against its harmful effects.

Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, Director General of the Department of Youth Development, emphasized the alarming reality that 442 people in Bangladesh die every day due to tobacco-related illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. He urged the youth to raise their voices and advocate for critical amendments to the tobacco control law, not only to protect themselves but also to shield their families from the harmful effects of tobacco.

Dr. Saifuzzaman called on young people to take an active role in inspiring others to do the same. He further encouraged the youth to lead enthusiastic social media campaigns, pushing for the swift passage and approval of the proposed amended law by the cabinet to protect public health. Additionally, he pledged that, if given the opportunity, he would personally speak to the government about the need for the speedy passage of the proposed tobacco control law amendments.

The workshop concluded with inspiring closing remarks from Khaled-bin-Yousuf, Program Director of Nari Maitree, who emphasized the vital role of youth in the fight against tobacco and encouraged participants to carry the message forward toward a healthier future.