Staff Reporter:
At least 17 anti-tobacco organisations and students of the University of Dhaka organised a rally and symbolic coffin procession on Wednesday to press for immediate passage and strengthening of the proposed amendments to Bangladesh’s Tobacco Control Act.
The event, held at the TSC area of Dhaka University, drew attention to the devastating impact of tobacco use in the country. Following the rally, participants marched through the university grounds carrying symbolic coffins, representing the 442 lives lost each day to tobacco-related diseases in Bangladesh.
Speakers at the event highlighted alarming statistics: 35.3% of the population aged 15 and above use tobacco, 442 people die daily from tobacco-related causes, and over 400,000 people are left disabled each year. Additionally, 42.7% of the population suffers from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Citing data from the American Cancer Society, speakers noted that the economic burden of tobacco use in the 2017-18 fiscal year amounted to Tk 30,560 crore-far exceeding the Tk 22,810 crore in revenue collected from the industry. They condemned tobacco companies for exploiting loopholes in the current law to continue advertising and promoting their products, and called for legal action against violators.
The event also focused on the health hazards faced by youth and children. Currently, around 1.5 million Bangladeshis are suffering from tobacco-related illnesses, while over 61,000 children under 15 suffer from secondhand smoke exposure.
Organizers stressed that the proposed amendments-such as banning smoking zones, prohibiting single stick sales, restricting e-cigarettes, ending CSR activities by tobacco companies, banning product displays, and increasing health warnings on cigarette packs from 50% to 90%-would play a vital role in protecting public health and helping Bangladesh meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
