Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Saturday said the government is committed to curbing tobacco use to safeguard the country’s human resources.

“We will try to eliminate tobacco use entirely. If that is not possible, we will at least ensure that its use does not increase. Our greatest asset is our human resources, and protecting them requires strict control of tobacco,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a policy dialogue in the capital.

The dialogue titled ‘Importance of strengthening smoking and tobacco control laws to protect women’s health’ was organised by the Anti-Tobacco Alliance of Women (TABINAJ) in collaboration with Unnayan Bikalper Nitinirdharoni Gobeshona (UBINIG) at the CIRDAP auditorium.

Emphasising the urgency of action, the Chief Whip said there is no alternative to tobacco control and called for effective measures to address the issue.

Referring to tobacco cultivation, he urged farmers to shift to alternative crops. “My position is clear – why grow tobacco? Cultivate other crops instead,” he said.

Moni also cautioned that certain anti-tobacco campaigns may have unintended consequences. Drawing a comparison with past anti-drug campaigns, he noted that such efforts sometimes sparked curiosity among young people about substances like heroin or Yaba.

He warned the anti-tobacco activists to be careful about such negative campaigns that may turn into indirect promotion.

The Chief Whip said the government has devised a plan to excavate some 20,000 kilometres of canals and plant 25 crore trees to protect the environment.

The event began with a video presentation highlighting the severe health risks and damages caused by tobacco use.

Speakers at the dialogue strongly called for the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025 to be enacted into law.

Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, along with leaders of TABINAJ and UBINIG, also spoke at the event.