Cigarette companies are actively engaging in various activities to attract youth to smoking such as creating smoking zones in restaurants, displaying advertisements at points of sale, and promoting tobacco products through print and electronic media, including the illegal promotion of e-cigarettes.
Multinational tobacco companies are violating national laws to expand their consumer base and profits, using manipulative tactics to lure adolescents and young people into addiction.
To counter these actions, cyclists have demanded that the Tobacco Control Law be strengthened.
The demand was raised at the “Youth for Health: Time to Strengthen Tobacco Control Law cycle rally, organized by Madak Darbo O Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS) on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Friday.
Speakers at the rally stated that currently, citizens bear about 71% of total medical expenses out-of-pocket. Around 70% of deaths in Bangladesh are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), for which tobacco use is one of the major risk factors. As a large proportion of the countrys population consists of young people, ensuring their access to a healthy lifestyle is vital for the nations future. Without strong awareness and effective enforcement of tobacco control laws, Bangladeshs economy and development could face serious consequences.
Members of BD Cyclists, Mohammadpur Cyclists, and Hemonto Riders participated in the rally, along with representatives from Vital Strategies Tobacco Control Program, WBB Trust, DAS, NATAB, and Gram Bangla Unnayan Committee.
The event was presided over by Prof Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury, Founder President of MANAS and recipient of the Ekushey Padak.
Other speakers included Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Lawyer and Policy Analyst; Aminul Islam Sujon, Public Health Expert; Syeda Ananya Rahman, Head of Program, WBB Trust; Faisal Islam, member of Mohammadpur Cyclists; and Prosenjit Biswas, member of Dhaka University Cyclists Group.
The program was conducted by Umme Jannat, Project Coordinator, and Md. Abu Raihan, Senior Project and Communication Officer of MANAS.
Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam stated that the governments efforts to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination in combating non-communicable diseases are commendable, but it must not overlook that tobacco is the primary cause of NCDs.
Aminul Islam Sujon emphasized the importance of increasing awareness among youth about the harms of tobacco and expanding anti-tobacco campaigns at all levels.
Prof Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury said, Drug addiction among youth often begins with smoking. As part of our social and national responsibility, we are working to raise awareness and protect the young generation.
