In an effort to protect public health, the Bangladesh Grocery Business Association (BGBA) has issued a directive prohibiting the display, advertisement, and promotional activities of tobacco products at points of sale.
In an official order titled “Directive on the Prohibition of Tobacco Product Advertisement at Point of Sale (POS),” the BGBA stated that smoking and the use of tobacco products are extremely harmful to public health, while also having detrimental effects on the national economy and the environment. In Bangladesh, approximately 161,000 people die annually due to tobacco use. Additionally, 35.3% of the population aged 15 and above use tobacco products, and 51.4% of people are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places and transportation.
The directive also highlights that although advertisements and promotions of tobacco products are legally prohibited in sales centers and other locations, tobacco companies continue to carry out flashy and misleading promotional activities through loopholes. As a result, young people are increasingly being drawn toward tobacco products, leading to a new generation of tobacco users.
Therefore, under Section 5 of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, which strictly prohibits any form of advertisement of tobacco products, the BGBA urges all its members and relevant stakeholders to conduct business operations responsibly and with caution when it comes to the sale of tobacco products.
