TBT DESK

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 on Friday, 10 October 2025, 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, Dhaka.

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 country’s population consists of young people, ensuring their access to a healthy lifestyle is vital for the nation’s future. Without strong awareness and effective enforcement of tobacco control laws, Bangladesh’s economy and development could face serious consequences.

The speakers noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken an initiative to strengthen the existing Smoking and Tobacco Products (Control) Act, 2005, but tobacco companies are opposing it in various ways.

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 Professor 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 government’s 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. “Tobacco companies must be held accountable for the immense suffering, deaths, and economic losses they cause to the nation,” he added.

Aminul Islam Sujon emphasized the importance of increasing awareness among youth about the harms of tobacco and expanding anti-tobacco campaigns at all levels. He urged the government to expedite the process of strengthening the law.

In his presidential address, Professor 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. However, our efforts are constantly obstructed. We can no longer allow tobacco companies to operate freely — they are endangering both our present and future generations.”

Every year, about 161,000 people in Bangladesh die from tobacco-related diseases, and countless young people are being drawn into addiction through tobacco use. To stop this ongoing tragedy and build a healthier future for the youth, there is no alternative to strengthening the Tobacco Control Law.