Tobacco companies should be punished for illegal ads and promotion to implement tobacco control law, speakers demanded on the eve of observing World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on Friday. “Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship” is the theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day. Tobacco companies are doing business of illegal advertisement, promotion to addict children and the young generation to smoke, speakers said at a round table Dhaka Reporters Unity organised by Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA).
Among others, Environmentalist Abu Naser Khan, Chairman of Bangladesh Environment Movement (Poribesh Bachao Andolon-POBA), Dr. M Mostafa Zaman, National Professional Officer of WH, Israt Chowdhury; Technical Consultant of The Union South-East Asia, Dental Surgeon A F M Sarwar and Helal Ahmed, General Secretary of Pratysha and Ibnul Sayeed Rana, Chairman of Nirapad Development Foundation moderated the program.
This discussion was presided over by senior politician Mr. Mujaffar Hossain Poltu, senior vice president of National Anti TB Association of Bangladesh (NATAB).
Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Director of WBB Trust and member of drafting committee of tobacco control law presented keynote paper on WNTD and Bangladesh progress with the newly amended tobacco control law.
Tobacco companies are continuing propaganda through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to influence the policy makers, speakers said.
No tobacco company or shop owner is allowed to show any advertisement, sign, symbol of tobacco and tobacco products as promotion, Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam said.
Any scene in films, TV dramas, theatres or any other media promoting tobacco is also banned, he said.
This is also necessary to punish the tobacco company itself, not only small shop owners to stop tobacco ads, promotion and sponsorship, speakers demanded.
-With The Independent input
