99 percent govt offices in Ctg violate tobacco control laws

In Chattogram, 99 percent of the government institutions are constantly violating the tobacco control laws. Signs of smoking have been found in 54 percent government offices, and 98 percent offices have not put any warning notices as per the laws.

The findings came in a survey on the status of compliance with tobacco control laws which was presented at the Chattogram Press Club on Saturday morning. Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), a non-profit organisation working for sustainable development, conducted the survey in 1435 places of the city.

Nasim Banu, deputy director of the organisation, presented the findings at the conference. She said, "Evidence indicates a 100 percent violation of tobacco control laws in educational institutions. Signs of smoking were found at 41 percent of the institutions and none of them had any precautionary notice. Tobacco marketing advertisements were found at four percent of the institutions."

According to the survey, 97 percent health centres, 100 percent public buses and 99 percent restaurants are not complying with the laws.

The survey, conducted in June this year, collected data from 282 government institutions, 187 health centres, 125 educational institutions, 423 restaurants and 419 public buses.

Speakers at the press conference urged everyone to come forward to eradicate tobacco use in Bangladesh by 2040. They called for stricter measures for advertisement, display, and regulation of tobacco products.