Anti-tobacco activists at a rally in the capital on Wednesday alleged that many children, adolescents and youth in the country are being addicted to tobacco use due to tactful activities and propaganda by the tobacco companies. The companies target the children and youths for profit.
“The tobacco companies are setting up cigarette shops near educational institutions, such as kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. These shops use colorful and branded cigarette packaging to promote their products. With the support of tobacco companies, smoking scenes are being displayed in movies and dramas that increase the risk of addiction among youths,” said the anti-tobacco activists.
In such a situation, they said that it is urgent to bring tobacco companies under punishment for violating tobacco control law.
Pratyasha Anti-Drug Organisation arranged the rally under the theme ‘Protect Children, Adolescents,and Young Adults from the Clutches of Deceptive Tobacco Companies’.
Helal Ahmed, general secretary of Pratyasha Anti-Drug Organisation; presided over the rally, while it was addressed, among others, by Aminul Islam Sujon, technical adviser at Vital Strategies; Moazzem Hossain, program coordinator of Development Activities Society (DAS); Samiul Hasan Sajib, representative of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA); and Azim Khan, project officer of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust.
Helal Ahmed said that that to lure children into smoking, tobacco companies are illegally designing cigarette packaging in attractive ways for children’s eye-level display. Tobacco promotion is happening everywhere—from sidewalk shops to superstores. Cigarette shops within 100 meters of educational institutions should be banned. Strong enforcement of the law is needed to prevent these manipulative promotions by tobacco companies, he added.
In his speech, Aminul Islam Sujon mentioned that smoking and drug-use scenes are being displayed unnecessarily in dramas and movies. Smoking scenes were displayed in the film ‘Toofan’ more than 60 times. Such unethical acts and violations of the law encourage children towards tobacco addiction. So, those responsible for displaying smoking scenes in dramas and movies should be penalized, he added.
Moazzem Hossain said that children are exposed to secondhand smoke in many public transports due to drivers and helpers smoking. According to the law, it is mandatory to display a “No Smoking” sign, warning that smoking in public transport is a punishable offense. Ensuring the display of these signs in public transport is necessary.
Samiul Hasan Sajib stated that tobacco companies are establishing smoking zones in restaurants in Dhaka, where cigarettes are displayed and sold. As a result, non-smokers, including women and children, are exposed to secondhand smoke in restaurants. All restaurants should be made 100% smoke-free by banning smoking zones.
The speakers emphasised the need to protect children, adolescents, and young adults from the harmful effects of tobacco. Smoking is one of the main gateways to drug addiction, and the interim government must take stricter measures to control tobacco use.
In the rally, children, adolescents, and young skaters displayed various anti-tobacco slogans on placards, banners, and posters. The skating rally started at the Central Shaheed Minar and toured various roads within Dhaka University.
