Nearly 48% of Bangladesh’s total population consists of youth, a significant demographic that faces the lethal threat posed by tobacco. To safeguard this segment, young people have called for strengthening the tobacco control law and raising taxes and prices on tobacco products.
This demand was raised during a discussion with youth held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Dhaka Ahsania Mission office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The meeting was presided over by Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, with Md. Akhteruzzaman, Director General (Joint Secretary) of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), as the guest speaker.
Md. Akhtaruzzaman highlighted that the youth have a vital role to play in creating a tobacco-free Bangladesh. He urged them to actively voice their support for stronger tobacco control legislation on social media to further this mission.
Other attendees included Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, Head of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation; Md. Abdus Salam Miah, Programs Manager at Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh (CTFK); Humaira Sultana, Communications Manager at CTFK; and Marjana Muntaha, Coordinator of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing.
The discussion addressed the health hazards of tobacco, the deceptive tactics employed by tobacco companies, policy advocacy, and communication strategies.
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco-related illnesses claim 442 lives daily in Bangladesh. To curb this trend, the speakers emphasized that youth must amplify their voices for stronger tobacco control laws and increased taxes on tobacco products.
