In an urgent call to strengthen tobacco control laws, youth from various educational institutions have raised concerns over the alarming rise in tobacco-related deaths in Bangladesh, which claim 161,000 lives annually. On Saturday (21 September 2024), a workshop titled “Capacity Building Workshop for Youth Advocates against Tobacco” was organized by the women’s development organization Nari Maitree at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka. Forty students participated in the workshop, advocating for amendments to the existing tobacco control laws, a press release said.

The Event Presided over by Nari Maitree’s Executive Director Shaheen Akter Dolly, the event featured Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, Director General of the Department of Youth Development, as the chief guest. Special guests included Tanusree Halder, Associate Professor at Sher-E Bangla Agricultural University along with Youth Social Media Influencer and presenter of Channel i Dipty Chowdhury.

Key speakers at the event included Md. Abdus Salam Miah, Programs Manager at Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh (CTFK), Humaira Sultana, Communications Manager at CTFK and Ataur Rahman, Advocacy Manager at CTFK. Key speakers emphasized the need to pass the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, drafted by the Ministry of Health.  

Nari Maitree’s Project Coordinator Nasrin Akter highlighted the critical need for these reforms, stating that around 37.8 million people in Bangladesh use tobacco, and 442 individuals die daily from tobacco-related illnesses. Shaheen Akter Dolly, in her address, underscored the importance of a tobacco-free Bangladesh in building a healthy future generation, while Tanusree Halder emphasized the growing trend of e-cigarette use among youth, warning that it poses a severe threat to public health.

Youth social media influencer Dipty Chowdhury encouraged everyone to use digital platforms to speak out against tobacco, highlighting how important social media is for raising health awareness.  

Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, Director General of the Department of Youth Development, emphasized the alarming reality that 442 people in Bangladesh die every day due to tobacco-related illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders.  

The workshop concluded with inspiring closing remarks from Khaled-bin-Yousuf, Program Director of Nari Maitree, who emphasized the vital role of youth in the fight against tobacco and encouraged participants to carry the message forward toward a healthier future.