DHAKA : Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said he will move a proposal in national parliament to include the words – ‘ban on use in public’ instead of the word ‘control’ in the existing anti-tobacco law.
He said the word ‘control’ has a reluctant connotation, which can be established as a strict legal offense inserting the words ‘ban on use in public’.
He made the remarks while speaking at a roundtable titled ‘Tobacco Control in Public Health Protection: Government’s Success, Promise and Public Expectation’ at National Theatre seminar room of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy here this morning.
At the same time, the minister expressed hope to turn the ‘Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025’ enacted during the interim government into a law.
Anti-tobacco campaigners – Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance and Progga (Knowledge for Progress) – organised the meeting.
Speaking as the chief guest, Zahir Uddin said although people are aware of harmful effects of tobacco, the number of tobacco-related patients is still going up.
“Our government signed the FCTC during the tenure of our former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia…in 2005 when I was a member of parliament, the ‘the Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act 2005’ was enacted. I am proud of being involved in the historic process,” he said.
About the upcoming parliament session, the information minister said the first session of the 13th national parliament will begin on March 12 where about 130 ordinances made during the interim government will be presented.
Of those, the anti-tobacco ordinance is very important one, he said, adding “I have personally made preparations. I will propose to replace the word ‘control’ in the law with ‘ban on use in public’. This is at the top of my parliamentary agenda.”
Swapan said as soon as the law is passed, he will instruct concerned officials to conduct a ‘creative campaign’ to develop a ‘positive ecosystem’ so that public opinion is created and law enforcement agencies can easily implement it.
Referring to the political philosophy of the incumbent government, he said, “Our leader, Tarique Rahman, after returning to the country after 17 years, is talking about ‘future hope’. We are determined to implement the promise our party has made to build a tobacco-free society.”
