A workshop titled “Youth's Role in Public Health Protection and Strengthening the Tobacco Control Law” was held on Thursday at the Wazed Miah Science Research Center of Jahangirnagar University (JU), as part of efforts to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh.
Dr. Md. Sakhawat Hossain, chairman and associate professor of the Department of Public Health and Informatics at JU, delivered the welcome speech at the event.
In his special address, Professor A.K.M. Rashidul Islam, proctor of JU, said, “I have personally suffered an irreparable loss due to tobacco—I lost my father to lung cancer. That is why I want to stand with you (the youth) in this anti-tobacco campaign. You must also demand a ban on all Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of tobacco companies within the university. I will stand by you, and so will the administration.”
The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Silvana Ishrat, advocacy coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project at DORP.
In her presentation, six key proposals from the Ministry of Health’s draft amendment—aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)—were highlighted. These include: eliminating designated smoking zones in all public places and public transport to protect non-smokers; banning the display of tobacco products at point-of-sale to prevent indirect advertising; prohibiting tobacco companies’ CSR activities; adopting measures to protect children, adolescents, and youth from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes; banning all forms of loose and single-stick sales of tobacco products; and increasing the size of pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs from 50% to 90%.
Professor Md. Monowar Hossain, director of the Wazed Miah Research Center, remarked, “Youth is the primary target of tobacco companies. To lure them, the companies are using various deceptive strategies. These CSR initiatives are nothing but part of their promotional tactics. We must raise our voices against these ploys from our respective positions - especially you, the youth.”
DORP youth representative Nasir said, “Since 2021, I have been proud to be part of the anti-tobacco campaign. I am delighted to see you joining this journey today. I hope we can all reach our shared goal very soon.”
The closing remarks were delivered by Md. Azhar Ali Talukder, Retired Secretary and Advisor at DORP. In the workshop, the founding members of the JU Anti-Tobacco Youth Club were educated on the dangers of tobacco use, the existing Tobacco Control Law, and its proposed amendments.