Journalists and dignitaries have demanded the amendment of the Tobacco Control Act to control the health and financial damage of tobacco.
This demand was expressed in the exchange meeting titled “Expectations and Actions of Journalists to Achieve Tobacco-Free Bangladesh” organized by Nari Maitri with the aim of giving journalists an effective role in tobacco control. This exchange meeting was held at Vishwa Sahitya Center of the capital.
The meeting was chaired by Shaheen Akhtar Dolly, Executive Director of Women’s Alliance, and Bangladesh Cancer Society President Oncologist Professor Dr. was present as an expert guest. Ghulam Mohiuddin Farooq.
The lead policy advisor of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) Bangladesh and ex-chairman of BCIC was present as the chief guest. Mostafizur Rahman. President of Health Reporters Forum Rashed Rabbi, Chief Executive Officer of Global TV Shamim Mehdi, Joint Editor of Prothom Alo Sohrab Hasan, Managing Committee Member of Jatiya Press Club Shahnaz Begum Poli, Dhaka Bureau of New York-based international news organization – Associated Press (AP) were also present as special guests. Chief National Press Club Management Committee member Julhas Alam.
71 TV Special Correspondent Sushant K Sinha, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Bangladesh Program Managers Abdus Salam Miah and Communications Manager Humaira Sultana were also present as discussants.
In the speech of the expert guest at the meeting, Professor Dr. Gholam Mohiuddin Farooq said, ‘Tobacco is responsible for about one-third of cancer deaths worldwide. The risk of lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, oral cavity cancer increases manifold due to tobacco. There is no alternative to tobacco control to address these risks. Although Bangladesh is the first country to sign the WHO’s Framework on Tobacco Control—FCTC, we are yet to achieve the best standards for smoke-free environments and banning tobacco product advertising and promotions. Therefore, it is imperative that the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act be quickly passed and strengthened. Which will help to build a beautiful Bangladesh free of tobacco.’ During the speech of the chief guest, Md. Mostafizur Rahman said, ‘Tobacco is a deadly substance. There is not a word to be said for tobacco. Tobacco is harmful to the environment, economy and health. According to the information of Tobacco Atlas 2018, 1 lakh 61 thousand people die prematurely in Bangladesh every year due to diseases related to tobacco use. That means 442 people die every day. Tobacco control laws must be strengthened as soon as possible to protect public health and save lives. Our friends in the media can play an important role in accelerating this step to strengthen the law, whose greatest strength is their writing and the strategy of using the media to reach the right information and news to the people.
In the meeting, journalist Sushant K. Sinha urged the tobacco companies not to get confused by multifaceted op-strategies. He said, ‘The initiative taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the government to bring further amendments to the Tobacco Control Act is undoubtedly a timely and people-friendly initiative. However, even though several steps have been passed, the law has to go through a few more steps to get its final form. It is still pending. There is a danger that there will be various obstacles in the way of its transformation into law, especially against the amendment by the tobacco companies carrying out various tactics and activities. They are creating confusion by spreading various misleading information through media. In this case, our journalist friends have to be careful enough.
Rashed Rabbi said, “The medical expenses due to various diseases caused by tobacco use are 34 percent more than the revenue income of the government from tobacco.” Revenue income is about 22 thousand 810 crores and medical expenditure is about 30 thousand 560 crores. The annual loss due to tobacco is about 8 thousand crore rupees (Cancer Survey-2018). So apart from eliminating people’s misconceptions, it is necessary to strengthen tobacco control laws.’
Prothom Alo Joint Editor Sohrab Hasan said, “Every day people are losing their lives due to this terrible tobacco aggression.” This all-encompassing invasion of tobacco and the tobacco epidemic are the greatest threats to our public health. We need to be more vocal about the dangers of tobacco and strengthen tobacco control laws by banning the activities of tobacco companies.’
Shamim Mehdi said, ‘Young people are becoming more addicted to e-cigarettes. It is very important to stop the marketing of e-cigarettes to get them out of this addiction.’
Shaheen Akhtar Dolly said in the speech of the president in the meeting, “Every year in Bangladesh, about 3 crore 84 lakh people are victims of indirect smoking, especially women and children. Second-hand smoke causes adverse events such as reduced female fertility, miscarriages, and maternal and child-birth deaths. Therefore, I strongly demand the speedy passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Act to protect women and children’s health.
At the same time, other negotiators and guests also urged for the amendment of the Tobacco Control Act to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh. In their speech, the negotiators proposed the Ministry of Health to harmonize the existing tobacco control laws with the FCTC, such as the elimination of designated smoking areas in all public places and public transportation for the protection of non-smokers; Prohibition of display of tobacco products at points of sale to stop promotion of tobacco products; banning tobacco company social responsibility activities; Prohibiting the import, manufacture, use and marketing of e-cigarettes or emerging heated tobacco products; He insisted on stopping all retail and open sales of tobacco products and increasing the size of pictorial health warnings from 50 per cent to 90 per cent.
(Dhakatimes/09 October/MI/SIS)
Source: www.dhakatimes24.com
