Journal Article Details
Welcome to Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC), DIU.
Graphical health warning on bidi packets in Bangladesh: Current gaps and way forward
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Bidi (local handmade non-filtered cigarettes) is low-cost tobacco products in world and more than 150 stick bidis (6 packs, one pack = 25 sticks) for only US$1 (85 BDT). Poor, ultra poor and illiterate people smoke bidis. 5.3 million Or 5% Adults (15+ years) smoked bidis and, on an average of 13.7 bidis smoked per day (GATS Bangladesh 2017).
Objectives: Graphical Health Warnings (GHW) on both side of all tobacco products including covering 50% or more surface area and “approved for selling only in Bangladesh” were imposed from 19th March 2016 as per amendment of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Uses.
Methods: Samples of bidi packets were collected from 160 wholesale shops situated in the 270 bazars (market area) in the 64 district towns during October 2017 to September 2019. Total 139 samples of different packets were collected owned by 39 brands of 30 companies.