It is necessary to amend the law to ban the display of tobacco products in the Points of Sale (POSs), sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of the educational institution and loose sale of tobacco products in the POSs, a press release said.
This was demanded by the speakers at a virtual discussion meeting titled ‘Dissemination of the results of the Scenario of Tobacco Products Display at POSs Survey’ organized by the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission on Monday.
The Dhaka Ahsania Mission conducted a survey titled ‘Big Tobacco Tiny Target Bangladesh’ on the strategies that tobacco companies are adopting, especially within 100 yards of educational institutions, to attract students and youth.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission Assistant Director Md. Mukhlesur Rahman presented the results of the survey. He said that according to the survey, tobacco products were sold in 90% of the sales outlets within 100 yards of schools and playgrounds and in 82% of the outlets, tobacco products were displayed within the children’s sight. 64% of sales outlets display chocolate / candy, toys, sweets or other items next to / along with tobacco products.
On the other hand, the survey conducted by the anti-tobacco organization BITA and ACD in one of the three major cities of the country (Chattogram, Rajshahi and Rangpur) also showed the display of tobacco products at 84% points of sale. Of which Rangpur (92%), Chattogram (86%) and Rajshahi (73%).
Secretary of the Health Services Division Md. Abdul Mannan as the chief guest said the government enacted laws and regulations on tobacco control and later amended it appropriately. Currently, the Health Services Division has taken the initiative to amend the law again. In this case, the results of such a survey will help in amending the law. If everyone has willpower and cooperation then we can build a tobacco free Bangladesh before 2040.
Kazi Zebunnesa Begum, Additional Secretary, Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as the special guest said that when a law is enacted, many things are said in the law and many things are not said but are implied. As the Tobacco Control Act also does not directly mention the issue of display of tobacco products, tobacco products are displayed in the POSs. So the Health Services Division and the National Tobacco Control Cell will take note of this when amending the law.
Iqbal Masud, Director, Dhaka Ahsania Mission Health and WASH Sector chaired the occasion while among others, Md. Zillur Rahman Chowdhury, Joint Secretary and Coordinator, National Tobacco Control Cell, Health Services, Former Chairman of Bangladesh Chemical Industry Corporation, Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary General of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association, M Rezaul Karim Sarkar Robin, Mr. Abdul Kaium Talukdar, Vice Chairman, Bangladesh Dokan Malik Somity; Head of the Department of Epidemiology, National Heart Foundation Dr. Sohail Reza Chowdhury and the represtatives of other retailer associations, anti-tobacco organization and journalists were also present at the occasion.
