Stricter tobacco control law can reduce health expenditure: Speakers

Every year, over 42,000 crore taka is spent on medical treatment for diseases caused by tobacco use. A stricter tobacco control law could significantly reduce this health expenditure. High taxation and stronger enforcement of tobacco control measures are essential, speakers at a walkathon said this.
They also informed that to strengthen the tobacco control, it is necessary to ban smoking in public places and inside transportation. At the same time, it is necessary to completely stop advertising tobacco products on social platforms and entertainment media to stop teenagers from being attracted to tobacco.
To encourage regular walking and a smoke-free lifestyle for better health, Bangladesh Network for Tobacco Tax Policy (BNTTP) and Madok Draba O Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS) jointly organized this walkathon titled ‘Tobacco Control Law Reduces Disease and Death’ in front of the National Shaheed Minar on Friday.
Speakers highlighted that the death rate from tobacco-related diseases is rising in Bangladesh. To combat this, it is now important to strengthen the tobacco control law, promote healthy lifestyle habits such as regular walking, and encourage the consumption of vegetables. They emphasized the need for specific taxes on tobacco products, ensuring the sale of cigarettes at maximum retail price (MRP), and enforcing penalties for multinational tobacco companies that violate the law.
Speakers also pointed out that tobacco companies are targeting the youth by promoting tobacco through popular actors in entertainment programs, films, dramas, and web series. Such activities aim to undermine the government’s efforts to build a healthier nation. Strict actions must be taken against these companies to protect public health.
The walkathon started at the National Shaheed Minar, passed through Shahbagh, and concluded at the Antachal Gate of Ramna Park (adjacent to the National Tennis Complex). Approximately 100 students, parents, teachers from Gandaria High School, and tobacco control activists participated. The program was inaugurated by valiant Freedom Fighter Professor Dr. Arupratan Choudhury, the founder president of MANAS. Umme Jannat, Project Coordinator of MANAS, conducted the inaugural part.
The closing part featured speeches by Helal Ahmed, General Secretary of the Anti-Drug Organization Pratyasha, Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Policy Analyst, Hamidul Islam Hillol, Secretariat Manager of BNTTP, and Humaira Sultana, Communication Manager of CTFK. The event was co-organized by representatives from Aid Foundation, ARK Foundation, Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA), Development Activities of Society (DAS), Grambangla Unnayan Committee, National Tuberculosis Control Organization (NATB), Pratyasha Anti-Drug Organization, Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC), and WBB Trust.