The media plays an essential role in driving tobacco control efforts, experts said during a two-day workshop held at BMA Bhaban on Wednesday and Thursday.
The workshop, titled "Media for Tobacco Control in Bangladesh", was jointly organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) and saw the participation of 27 journalists from print, television, and online outlets, according to a press release on Thursday.
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Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable deaths globally, responsible for over 8 million lives lost each year. Beyond the tragic loss of life, tobacco consumption wreaks havoc on a nation’s socio-economic, environmental, and ecological well-being. In Bangladesh alone, tobacco use claims 161,000 lives annually, alongside causing thousands of disabilities, the speakers said.
They added that the mass media must take a proactive role in highlighting the need for stronger tobacco control laws, implementing effective taxation measures, and exposing the harmful tactics of tobacco companies.
According to the speakers, the media’s ability to educate the public, influence policy, and create widespread awareness makes it a vital tool in the fight against tobacco-related harm, the release said.
Prof Dr Sohel Reza Chowdhury, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation, pointed out that tobacco use is a major barrier to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Strengthening tobacco control laws, he said, is critical to overcoming this obstacle. He noted that a draft amendment to Bangladesh’s tobacco control law includes provisions like the elimination of designated smoking areas in public spaces and transport, a ban on tobacco pack displays at sales points, the prohibition of tobacco companies' corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, and a ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The experts called on the government to pass the amendment without delay and free from tobacco industry interference.
Another pressing issue raised at the workshop was the current flaw in Bangladesh's tobacco taxation system, which allows tobacco products to remain affordable.
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Speakers advocated for the government to impose specific supplementary duties and reduce the number of cigarette price tiers from four to one, making tobacco products less accessible to the public, the release also said.
Md. Mostafizur Rahman, former chairman of BCIC; Zahirul Alam, Head of News at NTV; Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener of ATMA; Mizan Chowdhury, Co-convener of ATMA; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA. Together, they reiterated the crucial role the media must play in supporting tobacco control efforts to protect public health, the economy, and the environment were present at the event, among others.