Strong tobacco control measures a must to protect the youth

With World No Tobacco Day 2025 around the corner, health experts and anti-tobacco campaigners have urged the government to strengthen existing tobacco control measures to protect the country's youth from targeted marketing and addiction. 

The call came during a virtual press conference held today (28 May), jointly organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), according to a press release. 

This year's World No Tobacco Day, set to be observed on 31 May, is themed "Tamak Companir Kutokoushal Unmachan Kori, Tamak O Nicotine Mukto Bangladesh Gori," which focuses on exposing the deceptive tactics employed by tobacco companies and promoting a tobacco- and nicotine-free Bangladesh.

According to speakers at the event, the tobacco industry continues to target young people through strategic advertising and product placement. Citing a 2016 study by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the organisers highlighted that 487 out of 507 retailers located within 100 metres of schools in Dhaka displayed tobacco products next to candies, chocolates and soft drinks - making them easily accessible and visually appealing to children and adolescents.

In addition to traditional tobacco products, speakers warned that e-cigarettes and vape products are being aggressively marketed in flavours such as bubblegum, cherry, and chocolate, making it harder for youths to distinguish them from regular snacks. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified over 16,000 flavours used in vape products globally. These products are also designed to resemble USB drives, pens, and candy to help users avoid detection by parents or guardians.

"Tobacco companies are exploiting every loophole to trap our youth into lifelong addiction," said Hasan Shahriar, head of programmes at PROGGA, who presented the key points during the event.

In light of these concerns, speakers demanded the swift finalisation of the proposed amendments to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2013, urging the government to keep the process free from industry interference.

Other key recommendations included reducing the number of cigarette price tiers from four to three by merging the low and medium tiers in the upcoming national budget for FY 2025-26, divesting government shares in tobacco companies, removing cigarettes from the list of essential commodities, and imposing a ban on all forms of advertisement, promotion, and marketing of tobacco and nicotine products on social media platforms.

"We must not allow tobacco companies to manipulate our youth into becoming lifelong consumers. Strong regulatory action is long overdue," said Dr Liakat Ali, a member of the Health Sector Reform Commission.

Nadira Kiron, co-convener of ATMA, moderated the session. Among the speakers were Professor Dr Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, president of the Bangladesh Cancer Society; Professor Dr Anupam Hossain, public health expert and international sports development consultant; Md Mostafizur Rahman, former chairman of BCIC; Md Ruhul Quddus, former coordinator of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC); Saifuddin Ahmed, executive director of WBB Trust; Shaheen Akter Dolly, executive director of Nari Maitree; Professor Rumana Haque of the University of Dhaka; AKM Maksud, executive director of Grambangla Unnayan Committee; Helal Ahmed, general secretary of Prattyasha; Shagufta Sultana, project director at Aid Foundation; Mortuza Haider Liton, convener of ATMA; Mizan Chowdhury, co-convener of ATMA; and AMB Zubair, executive director of PROGGA.

Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of death in Bangladesh, claiming approximately 161,000 lives annually. Despite this, the industry continues to evade accountability while profiting from the addiction of new generations, speakers noted.

They called on policymakers to recognise the urgent need for comprehensive and youth-focused tobacco control reforms to prevent further loss of lives and public health burdens.