OTT platforms are one of the most popular entertainment mediums of the current generation. Tobacco companies, looking for opportunities, are targeting the young people and promoting their products on OTT platforms and movies. Excessive promotion of smoking scenes and misuse of language by popular actors in movies, dramas and OTT content is negatively affecting children and adolescents, which is against the laws of Bangladesh and is in conflict with the language and culture. Therefore, policymakers and public health experts have demanded a ban on smoking scenes in movies, dramas, and OTT content soon.
Health experts expressed said these at a seminar titled ‘What to do to control smoking scenes in movies, dramas and OTT content for the protection of the young generation’ organized by the Madok Draba and Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS) and Bangladesh Film Archive at the Film Archive building in Agargaon on Tuesday.
Bangladesh Film Archive Director General Md. Abdul Jalil was present as the chief guest at the meeting. He said that films are made for the needs of the state and the welfare of the people, not for the needs of the story. The film certification board is introducing a 4-tier rating system for films. In addition to including the issue of tobacco control in the Film Archive’s research, work will be done to create public awareness against smoking through agreements with film clubs of various universities. He said that it will be possible to avoid negativity in films with the joint efforts of everyone.
The program was chaired by the founder president of MANAS, valiant freedom fighter Professor Dr. Arupratan Choudhury, and the program was addressed by Bangladesh Film Archive Director Farhana Rahman, film director and producer Rafiqul Anwar Russell, Film Certification Board member and actress Kazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Vital Strategies Senior Technical Advisor Ed. Syed Mahbubul Alam, Technical Advisor Aminul Islam Sujan, Search Committee Member of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Saidul Islam Khan, Deputy Director of Film Certification Board Md. Moinuddin, Head of Bangladesh Short Film Forum Imran Hossain Kirmani, Project Director of Aid Foundation Shagufta Sultana, Project Coordinator of TCRC Farhana Zaman Liza, etc. The seminar was moderated by MANAS’ Senior Project and Communication Officer Abu Rayhan.
Presenting MANAS’ research data presentation, Project Coordinator Umme Jannat said that out of 60 dramas and movies broadcast on OTT platforms, 46 have violated the Tobacco Control Act. The highest number of smoking scenes were shown in 33 of the hero’s characters, 19 in the heroine’s character, 12 in the villain’s character and 21 in other supporting characters. The study selected 5 popular OTT platforms and observed 60 dramas and movies. Of these, 6 dramas and 40 movies violated the Tobacco Control Act. The most tobacco and drug use scenes are found in movies aired on Netflix. He recommended implementing the Tobacco Control Act in dramas and movies and formulating guidelines for OTT.
Syed Mahbubul Alam said that some people involved in films are getting children and teenagers addicted to smoking. Although it is said that smoking scenes can be shown for the needs of the story, everything that is against the interests of the state and the welfare of the people needs to be avoided.
Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Choudhury said that a war is going on all over the world against tobacco. Smokers and indirectly non-smokers are also victims of harm. Due to the temptation of tobacco companies, the tendency of smoking among teenagers and youth is increasing and they are moving towards dangerous drugs. He called for the proper implementation of the Tobacco Control Act through entertainment to protect the youth and for taking immediate steps to formulate separate guidelines for OTT.
Aminul Islam Sujan said that more responsibility and creativity are needed in films. Those concerned should be stricter in ensuring that there are no smoking scenes in films and that they are not approved even if they are. Even if these films violate the law, the obligation of approval from the appropriate authorities should be maintained.
Representatives of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, Dhaka University Economic Research Bureau, National Tuberculosis Prevention Association (NATB), and Development Activities of Society (DAS) were present in the meeting.
