TDS Desk

Journalist organization Aviation & Tourism Journalists’ Forum Bangladesh (ATJFB) has called for the swift passage of the amendment to the Tobacco Control Law to address the health and financial damages caused by tobacco and to build a healthier young society.

On Wednesday morning, in a workshop organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission on the amendment to the Tobacco Control Law, held at the Shaheed Dr. Shamsul Alam Khan Milan Hall of the BMA building in the capital, members of the ATJFB emphasized that the passage of the law would reduce deaths, help achieve SDG goals, and accelerate the creation of a tobacco-free Bangladesh, said a press release.

The session was chaired by Iqbal Masud, Director of Health & WASH Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Presenting speeches were former Chairman of the BCIC, Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman; Special Correspondent of BSS and President of ATJFB, Tanzim Anwar; and General Secretary of ATJFB and Chief Reporter of Asian TV, Baten Bipul.

Mohammad Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project, presented the main paper. He highlighted that the current “Smoking and Tobacco Use (Control) Act 2005” allows smoking zones in public places and restaurants, causing non-smokers to suffer from second-hand smoke. As a result, the risk of heart disease increases by 85%. Furthermore, 73% of restaurants display tobacco company advertisements in smoking zones.

If the amended draft of the Tobacco Control Law, prepared by the Ministry of Health, is passed, smoking zones in all public places, including restaurants, will be abolished, and restrictions on the display and sale of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and tobacco companies’ CSR activities will be implemented. This amendment will address several weaknesses of the current law and align it with global standards.

At the event, Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman urged media personnel to play a crucial role in attracting policymakers’ attention through their writing to expedite the amendment’s passage.

Iqbal Masud emphasized that if the draft amendment prepared by the Ministry of Health is passed, the law will be more robust and aligned with the FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control). He also urged journalists to help push the government through their writings.

Other workshop attendees included special representatives of Mashranga Television, Niyaz Morshed; Senior Reporter of Dhaka Mail; Imrul Kawsar from Bhorer Dak; Khalid Ahsan and Saifulah Suman from BTV; Senior Journalist Altab Hossain from Jaijaidin; Senior Reporter Rashedul Hasan from Daily Star; Masud Rumi from Kaler Kantho; Golam Mortuza from BD News; Adnan Rahman from Dhaka Post; and Sarwar Alam from Desh Rupantor, among others.