TDS Desk

The E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) has sent a letter to the Chief Advisor (CA) urging swift passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, making it more robust and banning e-cigarettes (vape).

The letter, signed by the Executive Director of the organization, Jahangir Alam Shovon, was sent to the Chief Advisor’s office this morning, said a press release.

Letter states that the current youth are becoming increasingly attracted to e-cigarettes and vapes, much like traditional cigarettes. Tobacco companies are using various strategies, especially marketing them as alternatives to quitting smoking, spreading this harmful product among our young population, which is extremely dangerous for health and can even lead to cancer.

The letter outlines the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act. These include significant suggestions such as: banning designated smoking areas in public places and public transport, prohibiting the display of tobacco products at sales points, completely banning CSR activities by tobacco companies, increasing the graphic health warnings on tobacco product packaging from 50% to 90%, banning the sale of loose cigarettes, unwrapped, and open tobacco products, and fully banning e-cigarettes and all emerging tobacco products.

If these proposed amendments are quickly passed, it is estimated that 161,000 lives, or 442 people per day, will be saved annually.

Bangladesh was the first country in the world to sign the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003. The Tobacco Control Act was enacted in 2005 under the obligations of the FCTC. Specifically, Bangladesh remains at a ‘poor’ and ‘medium’ level in ensuring smoke-free environments and banning advertising and promotion of tobacco products.

Furthermore, e-CAB calls for raising awareness against the various propaganda spread by cigarette manufacturers. These companies claim that if the amended Tobacco Control Act is passed, revenue will decrease. However, this claim is contradicted by facts. According to the National Board of Revenue, the revenue from tobacco was 28.88 billion BDT in 2005 when the Tobacco Control Act was passed. In the following fiscal year, it increased to 33.51 billion BDT. In 2013, when the law was amended, the tobacco revenue was 101.70 billion BDT.

Additionally, suppose the proposed draft law is passed. In that case, it will not only protect the youth but also safeguard non-smokers and prevent new users from starting smoking or using e-cigarettes. Therefore, the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) demands the swift passage of the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, drafted by the Health Services Department, to build a tobacco-free and healthy nation.