Doctors on Thursday called for an amendment to the Tobacco Control Law to reduce Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which are majorly caused by tobacco use, including heart disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases.

Over 161,000 premature deaths in Bangladesh occur each year due to tobacco, all of which are preventable. To address this, the draft amendment proposed by the Ministry of Health must be passed immediately, they said at a seminar

The seminar titled “Progress on Amendments to Tobacco Control Law and Engagement of Physicians in Building a Tobacco-Free Bangladesh” was held at the CIRDAP Auditorium National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh organised it.

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Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter was present as the chief guest at the event.

Tobacco use is more prevalent in Bangladesh due to affordability, and stricter laws and taxes are needed. Tobacco companies resist legal and tax reforms, making prompt action crucial, she said.

National Heart Foundation Secretary General Prof Fazila-Tun-Nesa Malik presided over the seminar. Prof Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of Epidemiology and Research if the foundation derlivered the keynote address.

The amendment aligns with the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and includes key changes such as: banning smoking areas in public places and transport; prohibiting the display of tobacco products at points of sale; fully banning tobacco companies' CSR activities; increasing graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging from 50% to 90%; banning the sale of loose cigarettes and single sticks; and imposing a complete ban on e-cigarettes and emerging tobacco products.

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Professor Choudhury said that 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco, and 38.4 million non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke in public spaces. The interim government has formed an advisory council to amend the Tobacco Control Law to protect public health.

Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury remarked that the government must protect public health to meet the SDG Target 3.4 of reducing premature NCD-related deaths by one-third by 2030.

Professor Malik pointed out the negative impact of nicotine on children's brain development, underscoring the need for law amendments to safeguard the next generation.

Speakers from various health and advocacy organisations, as well as medical students, were present at the programme, among others.