Our Recent Activites

The organisations argued that the activities of tobacco companies in the production and expansion of e-cigarettes in the country may cause a serious threat to public health. 

They raised the demand through a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) in the capital on Saturday (November 25, 2023). 

The organisations who jointly arranged the press conference included AID Foundation, ARK Foundation, Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA), BNTTP, Bangladesh Cancer Society,  Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Development Activities of Society (DAS), Initiative for Public Health Research and Communication (IPHRC), Inter Press Network-IPN, National Heart Foundation, Tobacco Control and Research Cell and WBB Trust.       

Public health experts, researchers on tobacco control and anti-tobacco activists at the press conference said that recently the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed to ban the promotion, distribution, import, export and marketing of e-cigarettes in the amendment proposal of the tobacco control law. However, several multinational cigarette companies are adopting various methods to spread the new tobacco product in Bangladesh in different ways. As a result, the tobacco companies are putting the country’s public health at serious risk, they added.

The speakers of the press conference also said that the British American Tobacco (BAT) has recently sent a letter to the Ministry of Commerce seeking permission to import some new international quality products citing the modern lifestyle of consumers in Bangladesh. In the letter, they said that they will sell all these products in the Bangladesh market and later expressed their intention to produce and export these products permanently. Such efforts are of great concern for the public health of the country, they added.

Speaking at the press conference, president of Bangladesh Cancer Society Professor Dr Golam Mohiuddin Faruque said that the tobacco companies are attracting young people and smokers to e-cigarettes by using less harmful terms. E-cigarette is not less harmful, but a very harmful product, he added. 

Head of Department of Epidemiology & Research of National Heart Foundation Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury said that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recommended banning of e-cigarettes in the draft of the proposed amendment to the tobacco control law. More than 150 MPs have also recommended the ban on e-cigarette. E-cigarette promotion and spread in Bangladesh has not increased much so far. In such a situation, if e-cigarettes are not reined in now, it will not be possible to control it later, he added. 

Iqbal Masud of Dhaka Ahsania Mission said that cigarette companies are not only violating the law by using various organisations including the media, they are also trying to promote e-cigarettes.

BAT is secretly working to promote e-cigarettes and many e-cigarette shops in Dhaka have been found to be operating under their auspices, he mentioned.

The press conference was presided over by the founding president of MANAS Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Chowdhury. He said that despite the government’s goal of building a tobacco-free Bangladesh, commitment to achieve SDGs and constitutional responsibility to protect public health, cigarette companies are violating the law in this country. 

Project Manager of TCRC Farhana Zama Liza moderated the event, while Project Director of Aid Foundation Shagufta Sultana, Director of WBB Trust Gaous Pearee and Aminul Islam Bakul of DAS also spoke there, among others. 

Nine-point recommendation was placed at the press conference to stop e-cigarettes in Bangladesh. The recommendations are-

(1) Necessary measures should be taken as soon as possible to stop the import, export, production, sale, marketing, advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes in Bangladesh. 

(2) Prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in dramas, movies and web series. 

(3) Prohibiting direct and indirect advertising of e-cigarettes, including online business sites. 

(4) Prohibiting the import and export of e-cigarette products in the import policy of the Ministry of Commerce. 

(5) Withdrawal of HR code product list of all such products including e-cigarettes, its devices, e-liquids, refills by the Finance Division and the National Board of Revenue (NBR ).

(6) Not to allow e-cigarettes, vape or any other new addictive or tobacco-like or nicotine-containing products in Bangladesh, as directed by the Supreme Court.

(7) Investigating the secret activities of cigarette companies, institutions and individuals involved in the promotion of e-cigarettes and taking strict action against the companies. 

(8) Cancellation of any trademark or registration of e-cigarette or vaping products. 

(9) Making Bangladesh free of e-cigarettes by rapidly passing the proposed amendment draft of the tobacco control law. 

https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/22-organisations-demand-ban-on-e-cigarette-in-bangladesh-125962

Recently, the drafting amendment of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act-2005 (amendment 2013) has included a provision banning the production and marketing of E-Cigarettes, which is truly commendable. Health experts’ opinion is E-Cigarettes are more harmful than conventional cigarettes.

Emphasizing the issue a discussion meeting on the "Importance of Banning E-Cigarettes in Bangladesh" was held at Seminar Room, WBB Trust, Dhanmondi at 11 am on January 30, 2023. Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC), Dhaka International University (DIU), and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) jointly organized the event.

Additional Deputy Inspector General of Special Branch of Bangladesh Police Ms. Rockfar Sultana Khanam, Head of Programs-Bangladesh of Vital Strategies Mr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Director of Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Mr. Iqbal Masud, Secretary General of Pratyasha Anti-Drugs Club Mr. Helal Ahmed was as the guest of honor of the program and Associate Professor of Dhaka International University (DIU) Mr. Bazlur Rahman delivered the welcome speech. Coordinator of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed presided over the program.

The Union's Technical Advisor (Bangladesh) Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam presented a keynote on the “Importance of Banning E-Cigarettes in Bangladesh”. Mr. Hamidul Islam Hillol, Program Manager of Bureau of Economic Research of Dhaka University (DU) moderates the program. Also, representatives of the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance and various organizations working national and international levels on tobacco control were present in the program.

Mr. Syed Mahbubul Alam said in the keynote presentation that tobacco companies are spreading myths on social media to make people addicted to e-cigarettes as an alternative to cigarettes. Their main target is the young generation to make long-term consumers. E-cigarettes should be banned right now to make tobacco-free Bangladesh before 2040 to implement the honorable Prime Minister’s promise.

Ms. Rockfar Sultana Khanam said Emerging Tobacco Products, Electronic Nicotine Delivery System, Heat-Not-Burn or E-Cigarettes whatever called are very harmful to the body like other tobacco products. It’s a new strategy of tobacco companies to get the young generation addicted. It is necessary to take quick and effective steps to control E-Cigarettes with the National Tobacco Control Cell.

Mr. Iqbal Masud said that E-Cigarettes are not less harmful in any way compared to conventional cigarettes in the market. But Companies spread falsehoods in their favor worldwide. He called upon all those working at the policy-making level to work together to ban this product.

Mr. Md. Shafiqul Islam said the use of E-Cigarettes is increasing rapidly that terrible. More than 109 countries of the world including India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan have taken necessary initiatives to ban and control e-cigarettes. Now is the right time to ban it in Bangladesh too.

Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed said that E-Cigarettes are a new business expansion strategy for tobacco companies. It uses nicotine as well as other liquids that are harmful to health. Finally, he called upon everyone to work together to control all products that are harmful to health.

News Links:

1. The Daily Bhorer kagoj

2. The Daily Bangla Tribiune

3. The Holy Times

4. The Dhaka Mail

5. Dhaka News 24.com

6. Jago News 24.com

7. Barta 24.com

8. Protidin Sebok.com

9. Manikganj Barta

10. Newsg24.com 

Tobacco seriously threatens public health, social degradation, the economy, and the environment. According to a study by the Bangladesh Cancer Society in 2018, the government's revenue from tobacco in the fiscal year 2017-18 was about Tk 22,000 crore, while the cost of treating tobacco-related diseases was Tk 30,570 crore in the same fiscal year. Every year about 99 thousand 600 acres of land in the country is cultivated with tobacco. However, although the government's export income from the daily essential product 'clothes' is 31.6 billion US dollars, cotton is grown on only 8,430 acres of land in the country. From which 1 lakh 37 thousand 990 bales of cotton are produced, which is only 2% of the total demand. Bangladesh needs about 85 lakh bales of cotton every year while about 80 lakh bales of cotton have to be imported, the import value of which is more than 35 thousand crore takas. If cotton is cultivated on tobacco land, it is possible to produce more cotton than the current production by about thirteen and a half (13) times or about 15% of the total demand. Which will help to reduce the import cost by about 6000 crore rupees. If cotton can be grown on tobacco land, it will be profitable for the country and the government will play a special role in protecting public health.

A delegation of the Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance met with Mr. Golam Dastgir Ghazi, MP, Minister, Ministry of Textile and Jute on 12 February 2023. They discussed cotton cultivation as an alternative to tobacco cultivation. Minister said he will support strengthening the tobacco control law and increasing cotton cultivation in tobacco farming land.

The honorable minister said that the process of amending the law to strengthen the law on the need for tobacco control is ongoing and I and my ministry have full support in this regard. Hon'ble Prime Minister's dream to build a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040 will always have the support of our Ministry in tobacco control activities. At the same time, he also talked about the initiative to grow cotton on tobacco land. He said it will contribute to the increase of cotton production and meet the shortage of cotton in the country. We will work with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce in this regard.

Project Director and Associate Professor of Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC), Dhaka International University Md. Bazlur Rahman, Project Manager Farhana Zaman Liza, Project Manager of the Bureau of Economic Research, Dhaka University Hamidul Islam Hillol, Project Officer of TCRC Md. Zulhas Ahmed, Bivuti Bhuson Mahato, and the Project Officer of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust Md. Samiul Hasan Sajib were present at the meeting.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin is in favor of stopping tobacco cultivation. He said that his ministry will work to stop tobacco cultivation considering the serious damage to public health and environment.

He said that tobacco should never be legalized and its cultivation should be stopped. He called upon everyone to work together to stop tobacco cultivation as a threat to the environment, climate change, public health and economy.

The minister said these at a meeting with a delegation of Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University (DIU) and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) on Wednesday.

The delegation handed over a letter containing research articles, documentaries and written statements of TCRC and BATA on tobacco cultivation and tobacco product control to the minister.

TCRC Project Director and DIU Associate Professor Md. Bazlur Rahman, Project Manager (Tobacco Control) of Bureau of Economic Research (BER) of Dhaka University Hamidul Islam Hillol, TCRC Project Manager Farhana Zaman Liza, Project Officer Zulhas Ahmed, and Bivuti Bhuson Mahato were present at this time. Md Shahab Uddin told the delegation of the anti-tobacco activists that they should continue their support and cooperation in the government’s tobacco control work.

He said that the Agriculture Ministry can play a vital role in completely stopping the tobacco cultivation. Strongly supporting the ban on the import of harmful e-cigarettes, he said that the Commerce Ministry should play a vital role in banning the import of e-cigarettes.

The environment minister said that he and his ministry have full support in this regard. He assured full cooperation including taking necessary steps in this regard. He also said that tobacco and e-cigarettes cannot be legalized in any way for public health and environmental protection.

Summary of the Projects

Dhaka International University (DIU) is one of the leading, familiar and note-worthy private universities in Bangladesh which was established on 7th April 1995. It is a non-profitable institution having strict academic discipline. This university was founded by Late Alhaj Professor Dr. A. B. M. Mafizul Islam Patwari, Former Chairman of the Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is recognized that Dhaka International University is such a private university, which was founded by a person who was a renowned humanist and academician. He established this university with high hopes and aspirations to disseminate knowledge and thus to extend the horizon of knowledge.

The mission of DIU is to produce capable leaders in the respective field of study who can meet the challenges of present dynamic world. It wants to create multidisciplinary knowledge, communication and interpersonal skills at the highest level of excellence among the students which will make them honest, sincere and dedicated in their thoughts and deeds.

The vision of this university is ‘to see an educated and healthy generation’. To meet successfully with the vision and mission, the university has established 5 research cells, teachers and students can easily exercise their research work with the cells. Tobacco control and Research Cell is one of the active research Cell, continuously working on tobacco control and public health issues for making healthy Bangladesh. DIU has successfully completed three projects with the financial assistance of Bloomberg initiative and technical support by The UNION.

First Project

The university completed the First project (Bangladesh-OC-403) from 1st May 2016 on “Policy advocacy for effective implementation of Graphic Health Warnings on tobacco products in Bangladesh”.

The major activities and outcomes of first projects were-

1. Conduct base line survey
2. Create a voluntary group (engaging students and teachers)- 3000 Youth members
3. Policy advocacy meeting with different ministry, NTCC, NBR, DNCRP, BSTI and DG Health
4. TCRC team has able to issued three govt. order- by Director General, Customs Intelligence & Investigation Directorate (CIID), Director General of Health Service and Directorate of National Consumers Rights and Protection (DNCRP) to take legal action against the violation of GHW provision in their regular market monitoring.
5. Organized Seminars, workshops and conferences
6. Conducted research that are published in the Journal of Dhaka International University
7. Compliance Monitoring for Pictorial Warnings-(3 phase- covered 50 Districts)
8. Organized Press Conference for disseminating the monitoring outcomes (3 Press Conference)

After successfully completed and achieved the project objectives, country representatives of The Union encouraged for submitting newer one.

Second Project

Later on they approve the submission and again the university successfully completed the 2nd project (Bangladesh-21-23) on “Strengthen implementation of Graphic Health Warnings and increase the size of GHW on tobacco products in Bangladesh through advocacy, capacity building and monitoring” from 1st September 2017.

Several strategies followed to achieve the project objectives that were- Policy and follow-up meetings, Sensitization workshop/meeting were conducted with different stake holders.

 Major objectives of the projects were -

•  Building capacity of enforcement officials;
• Increase the size of GHWs
• Introducing uniform packaging;
• Monitoring & Reporting the implementation;

The team was creating a data base of Stakeholders, One to One Meetings with different Stakeholders have been conducted in every week, and 8 Divisional Workshops also been conducted that covering all 64 Districts for Sensitizing and Engaging Local Administration for Building capacity of effective implementation.  An assessment survey has been conducted for preparing the recommendation for increasing the size of GHWs, and continues policy meetings with Law Makers for getting policy support. For Introducing Standard packaging model, an assessment survey has been conducted, the teams also select the model packets for standard packaging that submit for effective implementation.  For Monitoring the implementation, the team Developed GHWs Monitoring Software on the basis of section 10 of TC law & Monitor the implementation quarterly basis (8 quarter) that cover all 64 districts. The team organized 8 Press Conferences to disseminate the monitoring outcomes and submit violation report to related authority for legal action. 

 Major Activities and Achievements

• Present the research in more than 10 international conferences.
• Published  6 research in Scopus approve journals.
• Able to identified the tax evasion and recommended the government through NBR haw they can reduce tax evasion (Story has circulated by Jamuna Television and different news papers).
• Tax collection has increased.
• Able to find-out the market and distribution policy of smokeless tobacco.
• Students and teachers engaged in research activities.
• Collect data from all 64 districts and sub-districts.
• Identified 264 Big Wholesale markets.
• Raise linkage with international community through participating seminars, workshops and conferences.
• Institute of Global Tobacco Control, Bloomberg Institute of Public Health, John Hopkins University are closely working with the university.

Third Project

As outcomes of the success of the previous projects, the necessity of a newer idea got acknowledge consecutively they encouraged to apply new project.  Project Title: Sensitize Government to finalize the Increasing GHWs decision, enact standard packaging and strengthen GHWs implementation, reduce tax evasion through compliance monitoring and reporting.

Major Activities and Outcomes:

The consistent initiatives, seminar and workshops by Tobacco Control and research Cell (TCRC) resulted into the formation of standard packaging model for bidi and SLT, that got approved by the tobacco control activists, experts and advocates. Whereas the research conducted by the TCRC on increasing pictorial warnings, the campaign on enhancing tobacco taxation and initiatives for banning e- cigarettes- all received applause from the civil society due to its innovative nature in terms of rising awareness among Member of Parliaments, bureaucrats and mass people. The President of TCRC, Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, MP delivered speeches on the importance of issue of increasing GHW of tobacco pack, banning e-cigarettes, enhancing tax on all sorts of tobacco products, while emphasizing the introduction of standardized packets in the assembly of National Parliament of Bangladesh. The seminar organized by TCRC on standard packaging model managed to grab attention and acceptance by a number of MPs and former minister that standard packaging is an effective mechanism in the pathway of towards reduction of tobacco consumption. They emphasized upon spreading this concept among others as well.

National Board of Revenue was made convinced for monitoring the smokeless tobacco product distribution hub so that the tax evasion can be reduced, through live talk show and several other workshops by TCRC. Research study was being conducted on the jorda tax evasion issues as well including organization of several workshops, research findings dissemination events and seminars on tax evasion perspectives by the tobacco companies. TCRC conducted compliance monitoring on taxation, pricing and GHWs implementation throughout entire Bangladesh and the compliance monitoring report was with government bodies and tobacco control advocates. A report including lists of all tobacco products, producers, distribution channels and companies committing tax evasion was submitted to Member (Vat) by TCRC while he was sensitized on taking legal actions. 6 MPs were convinced upon working on tobacco tax issues and in the next budget sessions, they spoke in favor of tobacco tax enhancement in the National Parliament.

TCRC successfully organized a live talk show including youth and youngsters that focused on the threat and negative impacts of e- cigarettes. This talk show included Member of Parliament, Oncologist, senior tobacco control activist. The talk show turned into a awareness raising mechanism. The Facebook campaign and discussion event counterparts of the live talk show played the comprehensive tool for building a mass uprising. Deputy Speaker of National Parliament calls to promulgate special ordinance against e-cigarette. Barrister Shameem Patwary, MP, President of TCRC raised the issues of increasing tobacco tax, banning e- cigarettes while urging for an effective taxation plan in parliament. More than 163 MPs gave their policy support for banning sales of e-cigarettes. At the same time, the researches conducted by TCRC titled “Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS): Threats for Youth, Challenges and Way Forward” and Impact on Graphic Health Warnings Implementation to Quit Smoking among Low Income Population in Dhaka City” and dissemination of the researches played the eye- opener for may tobacco control activists. Barrister Shameem Patwary, MP, President of TCRC raised the issues of increasing tobacco tax, banning e- cigarettes while urging for an effective taxation plan in parliament.

Forth Project (Current)

As outcomes of the success of the previous projects, the necessity of a newer idea got acknowledge consecutively they encouraged to apply new project. Later on Bloomberg Initiative announce call for proposal of Round 30 on July 2021 and we submit the application then on 17 September 2021, we have received a confirmation letter to submit full proposal. Finally on 26 November 2021, we have received a final confirmation latter and 30th April 2022, the university signed an agreement with The Union.

• Project Title: Assist government to introduce large pictorial warnings and to generate evidence for standard packaging & for banning emerging tobacco products through monitoring and reporting.
• Project ID: Bangladesh-30-04

• Project Duration: Duration: 2 Year (May 2022- April 2024)                                   
• Total Budget: $ 1,12,695 USD (BDT-94,66,380)
• Date of Agreement: 30 April 2022
• Funded by: Michael R. Bloomberg through his foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, USA and managed by The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases
• Project Staff

Budget Distribution:

Objectives and Activities:

Objective 1: To assist the government in the development, adoption and implementation of standard packaging for tobacco products.

• Mapping of all relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare a policy brief on implementation of standard packaging.
• Conduct round table meetings with all stakeholders for getting policy supports.
• Organize seminar including representatives from Ministry of Law, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services, Tobacco Control Community and Civil Society jointly with national Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC).

Objective 2: To gather evidence for supporting the government for prohibition of novel products, like ENDS/ENNDS.

• Generate evidence on banning emerging tobacco products in Bangladesh in light of global trend.
• Develop strategic guidelines and organize meetings with stakeholders including BATA members to implement the decision on banning ENDs.
• Conduct press briefing for generate public awareness about harms of emerging tobacco products.
• Conduct round table meeting with high level committees of Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance and National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) for knowledge sharing
• Continue one to one follow-up meeting with representatives and officials from Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance and National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance, NBR,  Ministry of Home, BTRC,

Objective 3: To monitor and evaluate GHW law compliance and to assist the government in implementing larger pictorial warnings.

• Update the monitoring software as per law for measuring the compliance.
• Monitor the compliance of current GHW provision with GHWs monitoring app in all divisions of Bangladesh.
• Arrange press conference to disseminate the outcomes of compliance monitoring.
• Conduct a study for identifying the FCTC compliance globally and changes of pictorial warnings to create a strong foundation for policy briefing
• Organize a roundtable discussion meeting with standing committee on Law, Health and Family Welfare, ministry delegates of relevant ministry, civil society and media personnel for getting policy support and for collaborative approach to increase pictorial warnings.
• Collaborate with international community for sharing experience regarding the challenges and way forward on tobacco control movement in Bangladesh.

Objective 4: To monitor and produce evidence of tobacco control law violations and tax evasion in order to sensitize tobacco control taskforces for improve enforcement that will support National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP).

• Conduct the study in divisional headquarters for identifying the violation of tobacco control law
• Sensitizing workshops/ seminars (with showing the violation-experience from previous projects and current project) will be organized with Enforcement officials and districts taskforce committee for taking legal action against the violation.
• Conduct a study to identify how smokeless tobacco violate to pay the tax and to make a model to protect tax evasion.
• Develop and submit the model of digital tax tracking and tracing system that will support to protect tax evasion.

Expected Policy Outcomes:

This project will help to strengthen the government to take initiative for protecting public health; support National Board of Revenue (NBR) to reduce tobacco tax evasion; support government to make effective implementation of tobacco control Law especially pictorial warnings. The project will help to identify the violation of tobacco control law and possible way to protect the violation. Students and teachers will be able to buildup the research knowledge as they will participating the seminars, workshops and community based works. The team will get opportunity to participate and present the research in international arena.

Tobacco Control and Research Cell of Dhaka International University and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance jointly organised an event at Dhaka Reporters Unity on 9th January,2022 Sunday to unveil the result of a study on graphic health warning on tobacco packs.

A study finds that tobacco companies are still flouting the law even six years after rules of printing the graphic health warning on tobacco packets were made mandatory.

The researchers involved in the study said that in the last six years, the tobacco companies have not properly issued graphic health warning on the tobacco products, which is a complete violation of the tobacco control law. As a result, the purpose of the law is being severely hampered.

The result of the study was unveiled at a function titled ‘Implementation of Graphic Health Warning on Tobacco Packets as per the Law and Present Situation’. Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University, and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) jointly organised the event at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday (January 9).

Speakers of the event said that tobacco is one of the major obstacles to the development of the country’s health system. The tobacco companies are destroying the health system in the name of paying revenue.

Helal Ahmed of BATA presided over the function, while it was addressed, among others, by Nasir Uddin Sheikh, Country Manager (Bangladesh) of Vital Strategies; Ataur Rahman Masud, Senior Policy Advisor (Bangladesh) of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids; Shagufta Sultana, Project Director of Aid Foundation; Mohammad Shamimul Islam, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Center for Communication Program (BCCP); and Syeda Anonna Rahman, Program Manager of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust.

Farhana Zaman Liza, Assistant Researcher and Program Manager of TCRC, presented the keynote paper, while Md Bazlur Rahman, Member Secretary of TCRC and Project Director, moderated the event.

In the keynote, Farhana Zaman Liza said that one of the methods of tobacco control is to provide graphic health warnings on the packets of tobacco products. Section 10 of ‘The Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2013)’ stipulates that all tobacco products must provide pictorial warnings relating to the health hazards of tobacco covering 50 per cent of the surface area of the main exhibition floor on both sides of the packets.

According to her, the TCRC carried out the six-month study in 2021. In that time, team members of the study collected data from 1288 tobacco products packages in 24 districts in six divisions of the country to find out the current status of the implementation of graphic health warnings on tobacco packets. The TCRC study found 82% of tobacco products contain pictorial health warnings; while brand element was found in 25% wrapper; 21% of twists did not show fixed-term images; graphic health warnings were not printed in 50% of the 44% wrappers; this warning is not printed on both sides of the 63% package; 73% of bidi wrappers were found to be covered with graphic health warning bandroll; 50% of the packaging did not have the message ‘for sale in Bangladesh only’; no pictorial health warnings were found on any of the cigarette cartons.

In his presidential speech, Helal Ahmed said that although the rules for graphic health warning were passed in 2016, it is not yet fully effective due to obstacles by tobacco companies. The tobacco companies have to be brought under the law.

Ataur Rahman Masud said that the picture that emerges from the study is awful. Nasir Uddin Sheikh said that tobacco companies are licensed killers. They are carrying out their activities in various ways violating the law.

Syeda Anonna Rahman said that the tobacco companies are carrying out various activities and campaigns as part of CSR. These must be resisted.

The lawmakers called upon the government to impose specific taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products in the upcoming budget to protect public health and increase revenue income. Tobacco taxes need to be increased to prevent new tobacco users. There is no alternative to formulating a national tax policy to build a tobacco-free country added by the tobacco control experts.

The discussion event included honorable Members of Parliament, high government officials, tobacco control experts and media representatives. Professor Ganesh Chandra Shaha, Vice Chancellor (in- charge) of Dhaka International University presided over the meeting and Advocate Md Shamsul Haque Tuku, MP former State Minister of Home Affairs was the Chief Guest of the event.

Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, MP; Md Harunur Rashid, MP, Abida Anjum Mita, MP were to attend the events physically; whereas Dr Md. Habibe Millat, MP, Rana Mohammad Sohail, MP, and Aparajita Haque, MP joined the meeting through video conference.

The honourable participants also included- Hossain Ali Khandaker, Coordinator of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr Md Shahadat Hossain Mahmud, Director General of the Health Economics unit, Professor Dr. Sohail Reza Chowdhury, Head, Department of Epidemiology, National Heart Foundation; Professor Dr. Mohiuddin Faruk, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Cancer Society; Md Shafiqul Islam, Head of Programs, Vital Strategies; Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Technical Adviser of The Union; Professor Dr Rumana Haque, virtually joined the meeting.

S M Abdullah, Associate Professor, University of Dhaka presented the key notes explaining the importance of specific tax imposed on all sorts of tobacco products to protect public health. Please see the news link below.

List of News Link

1.  The Daily Kaler Kantho
2.  The Daily Bangladesh Pratidin
3.  The Daily Naya Diganta
4.  Bssnews.net
5.  Somoynews.tv
6.  crabnewsbd.com 
7.  The holy times.com
8.  Jamuna.tv
9.  News24bd.tv
10.  Rahmat24.com
11.  The Daily Protidiner Sangbad
12.  The Daily Kaler Kantho
13.  The Daily Dhaka Prokash
14.  The Daily Sharebiz
15.  sunnews24x7.com  
16.  Desh.tv
17.  swadeshkonthoprotidin.net 
18.  Dhakapost.com
19.  Newsg24.com 
20.  banginews.com 
21.  Mukti_nishan 
22.  washington shangbad 
23.  dainikbijoyerbani.com 
24.  SUN NEWS BANGLADESH
25.  Khunna news
26.  NNC 
27.  Crab News BD
28.  Notun_Shangbad
29.   News Bangla 24
30.  Shodesh Kontho 
31.  RisingBD 
32.  Bhorer Kagoj 
33.  CNI24.COM
34.  The Business Post 

Speakers at a seminar said that it has become necessary to introduce the standard packaging for tobacco products as well the plain packaging in order to prevent revenue evasion.

Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University arranged the seminar titled ‘Importance of Standard Packaging Model to Protect Tobacco Tax Evasion in Bangladesh’ at Lakeshore Hotel at Gulshan in Dhaka on Tuesday (October 5). 

Program Manager of WBB Trust Syeda Anonna Rahman moderated the event, while TCRC’s Programme Manager Farhana Zaman Liza presented the keynote paper in the seminar. 

President of NATAB Muzaffar Hossain Paltu chaired the event, while Pabna-1 MP Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Gaibandha-1 MP Barrister Shameem Haider Patwari, Nilphamari-3 MP Rana Mohammad Sohail, Lead Consultant of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK-Bangladesh) Md Mostafizur Rahman, Country Manager of Vital Strategies Md Nasir Uddin Sheikh, Farida Akhter of Ubinig and Shagufta Sultana, Project Director of Aid Foundation, took part in the discussion on the keynote.     

Representatives of Grambangla, DAS, Tabinaz and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) also attended the seminar. 

In her keynote, Farhana Zaman Liza presented the data and statistics of monitoring reports that were collected from 265 marketplaces in 64 districts in eight phases. A total of 10,074 packs of cigarettes, bidi, jorda and gul were monitored. The study found differences in size, poor packaging and other faults. Such poor and deceptive packaging is mainly used to evade revenue and cheat the tobacco users. The introduction of standard packaging will be the only solution to the problem, she mentioned. In his presidential speech, Muzaffar Hossain Paltu said that the majority of the MPs have now started working for tobacco control. However, it is unfortunate that many decisions are being made at the administrative level for the spread of tobacco. It is contradictory to building a tobacco free Bangladesh. It is not possible to build a tobacco-free country with state partnership in tobacco companies, she added. 

Speaking as the chief guest, Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku said, “We have to reduce the tobacco production in order to reduce the demand. The tobacco companies are evading revenue in various ways. The introduction of standard packaging of tobacco products will play a vital role in preventing evasion, he opined. 

Barrister Shameem Haider Patwari said that the investment in tobacco is increasing in Bangladesh, while the tobacco trade is being stopped in different countries of the world. “Tobacco products are available in our country. For this reason, the number of tobacco users in the country is decreasing very slowly. The introduction of standard packaging of tobacco products will increase revenue in the country as well as reduce the tobacco use,” he added. 

Rana Mohammad Sohail said those involved in tobacco production are strong. In many ways, they will create obstacles in the implementation of the goal of building a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040. However, the government is committed to making the country tobacco free.

A research dissemination program was organized by Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC), Dhaka International University on 19 April 2018 at Shaheed Dr. Samsul Alom Khan (Milon) Auditorium, BMA Bhabon, 15/2 Topkhana, Dhaka.

The survey period was from 19 December 2017 to 18 March 2018 total 8 districts from 8 division was covered for the study. Total 491 tobacco pack (Cigarette -184, Bidi -21,  Zordha- 260 , and Gul- 26 ) was analyzed. Both qualitative and quantitative technique was used for conducting the study. Section 10 of Tobacco Control Law was considered to develop the research question and a semi- structure questionnaire was developed to collect the primary data.   The survey report shows that 81% tobacco pack implement the GHWs among these 61% was covered 50% principal display area but poor implementation among Zordha 39% and Gul 38%. The image of GHWs must change in every three months as per law but the research found only 64% tobacco pack used current rotation image on the time of research. Research found very poor implementation regarding GHWs print both side of the tobacco pack and it was only 42% among these Cigarette 99%, Bidi 11%,  Zordha 11%, and Gul was 14%. Over all GHWs implementation is 81% among these 5% was foreign image, 10% was unclear, 10% covered by band roll, 100% carton was not implement the GHWs. As per tobacco control law section 10 subsection 3 that “Permitted to sales only in Bangladesh” must print on the tobacco packs for selling the tobacco products in Bangladesh but 68% tobacco pack was not print this title on their packets.

If we consider all the elements of section10 of Tobacco Control Law then the implementation rate is very poor that is only 20% (Cigarette 74%, Bidi 0%,  Zordha 5%, and Gul was 0%) almost all the tobacco company violate the law by different ways on the provisions of section 10 of Tobacco Control Law in Bangladesh.

Syada Annona Rahman, Program Manager, WBB Trust, Rokeya Begum, Researcher, TABINAJ, Dr. Seikh Mahbubus Sobhan, Program Officer, NTCC, Aminul Islam, Program Officer, NTCC, Muhammad Kamaluddin, Executive Director, NATAB, Syed Mahbubul Alam, Technical Adviser, The Union, Ataur Rahman Masud, Program Officer, CTFK, Aminul Islam Bakul, Executive Director, AID Foundation, Nasir Uddin, Country Manager, Vital Strategy, Sushanta Sinha, Special Correspondence, Jamuna Tele Vision, Shariful Islam, Head of Program, Vital Strategy, Prof. Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, NHFH, Shariful Alam, Lead Consultant, CTFK and Md. Khairul Alam Shiekh, Joint Secretary and Coordinator, NTCC were present  as special guest in the program. Ruhul Quddus, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was the chief guest and Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, MP, President, TCRC was presided over the program. Farhana Zaman Liza, Research Assistant and Program Officer, TCRC, DIU was present the survey findings and Asst. Prof. Md. Bazlur Rahman, Project Manager, TCRC was moderate the program. More than 60 tobacco control activists and the students from different background of the university was present the program.