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Date: 10 February 2024

Dhaka International University will not cooperate with tobacco companies in any way to protect students

Bangladesh's premier private university, Dhaka International University, has adopted a policy of non-cooperation with tobacco companies. The university authorities signed the "Code of Conduct" in support of FCTC-5.3 article to protect overall public health along with 12 thousand students studying in Dhaka International University. Today on February 10, 2024, the university authorities took this decision in a program jointly organized by Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance, Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC), Dhaka International University and WBB Trust.

Dhaka International University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam presided over the event and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University and TCRC President Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari was present as the chief guest. Samiul Hasan Sajib, Senior Project Officer of WBB Trust, presented the keynote at the event moderated by TCRC Project Manager Farhana Zaman Leeza. In his paper presentation, he identified the interference of companies in the formulation of tobacco control policies and highlighted the steps that could be taken to overcome this. Dhaka International University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. was present as a special guest in the meeting. Ganesh Chandra Saha, Syed Mahbubul Alam, Senior Technical Advisor, Vital Strategies and Syeda Ananya Rahman, Head of Program, WBB Trust. Welcome speech was given by Associate Professor Milli Sultana of the Department of Law and the guest speech was delivered by the University's Chief Registrar Dr. Shah Alam Chowdhury. The meeting was attended by teachers from various departments of the university, hundreds of students, TCRC officials and representatives of various organizations working on tobacco control.

In the president's speech at the meeting, Professor Dr. Saiful Islam announced solidarity with today's event organized with the purpose of unmasking the tobacco company and called upon other universities and institutions to adopt the code of conduct. He also assured to provide maximum cooperation in the related matters.

In the speech of the chief guest, Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari said that tobacco companies are responsible for killing the most people in the world. Tobacco is the root cause of all types of addiction and if tobacco can be controlled, these addictions can also be controlled very quickly. Tobacco companies are using illegal influence to block the amendment of tobacco control laws. Along with this, they are indirectly promoting their products by showing the lure of jobs to the youth. Finally, he took the students studying at Dhaka International University and expressed his determination to take necessary initiatives to prevent the interference of the tobacco company.

In the speech of the special guest, Professor Dr. Ganesh Chandra Saha said, Dhaka International University has been working on tobacco control for more than a century in the public, private and international sectors. They are also contributing to tobacco control research and policy making. He expressed hope that this trend will continue in the coming days.

Special Guest Ed. Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin said that tobacco companies spend a lot of money on promoting tobacco products to create a positive image for themselves. He urged to give importance to food production instead of tobacco cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency of the country in food production. He also said that 49% of the total population of Bangladesh is youth. Tobacco companies mainly target youth to create long-term consumers. Besides promoting e-cigarettes as less harmful, companies are funding smoking zones in various restaurants to attract young people.

Finally, the speakers said, today's initiative of the university against tobacco is highly commendable. They demanded the installation of no-smoking signage inside the university and the removal of tobacco and tobacco products sales outlets within 100 meters.

As per 5.3 Dhaka International University shall take the following steps:

1) Stop campaigning in the name of socio-cultural programs and social responsibility programs of tobacco companies.

2) Providing training, raising awareness to employees at all levels to make them aware of Article 5.3 of the FCTC.

3) Refrain from receiving, giving and participating in any cooperation directly or indirectly from the tobacco company or any person and organization related to the company.

4) All departments and offices will maintain a completely tobacco free environment.

5) Encourage other organizations to implement Article 5.3 of the FCTC as well as provide technical assistance.

6) No person who directly or indirectly benefited from the interests of the tobacco company shall be appointed.