Tobacco control law needs to be amended to achieve SDG: Anti-tobacco advocacy group

Delegates from anti-tobacco research and advocacy organisation Progga had a discussion meeting with former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Chairman (BSS) Professor Dr A A M S Arefin Siddique on Wednesday.

The meeting discussed the necessity of amending tobacco control law and its way forward, said a press release.

"I trust that the current tobacco control law requires some amendment along with some additions to save the people from consuming such a toxic product like tobacco as well as to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) 3," Dr A A M S Arefin Siddique said.

"Moreover, during these hard times of Covid-19 outbreak, I acknowledge that it is high time to swiftly take in to consideration the proposals of amendment of relevant laws raised by Progga and other tobacco control organizations in order to keep the public health and environment safe and sound,"

He further underscored that "just as the intended targets of any law depend on its stringent implementation, likewise, we need to go forward in rendering timely amendment of the law and its firm implementation."

At the discussion meeting, Progga underscored some proposals of amendment in tobacco control law, the press release added.

Some of the proposals were: Remove the exemptions in the smoking ban for restaurants and public transport; ban the display of tobacco products at points of sale; ban tobacco company "corporate social responsibility" activities; ban the sale of single sticks and unpackaged smokeless tobacco; ban the sale and import of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products; allow for stricter rules on packaging including increases to the size of health warnings among other suggestions.