Youth seminar urges stronger tobacco laws

Staff Reporter :

A youth seminar held at Dhaka University on Thursday demanded urgent amendments to the country’s tobacco control law, calling for a ban on the retail sale of single-stick cigarettes and bidis, as well as the use of vapes and e-cigarettes.

The event, titled “Role of Youth in Strengthening Tobacco Control Laws and Building a Tobacco-Free Nation,” was organized by the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing. It was hosted at the Dr. Sirajul Islam Lecture Hall with participation from students representing various educational institutions across the country.

Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, attended the seminar as the chief guest. He voiced full support for the youth-led demands and emphasized the importance of strengthening the tobacco control law to safeguard public health. Special guest Sheikh Momena Moni, Additional Secretary (World Health Division) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, confirmed that the government has already taken initiatives to amend the tobacco law and is working toward finalizing its implementation.

Participants at the seminar called for the prohibition of the display and advertisement of tobacco products at points of sale, the removal of designated smoking zones in public areas, and a ban on tobacco companies conducting corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

They also advocated for increasing the graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging to 90 percent coverage.