Dhaka: State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today emphasized the importance of addressing the demands of youths for stronger tobacco control in parliament. He highlighted that the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Ordinance – 2025 must be enacted into law to cultivate a tobacco-free young generation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Hajjaj expressed these views at a seminar titled ‘Government Commitment and Public Expectations in Controlling Tobacco-Induced Non-Communicable Diseases for Public Health Protection.’ The seminar was organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission in Dhanmondi in the capital. Hajjaj stressed the necessity of passing the ordinance to create a tobacco-free society for the youth.
The state minister also announced that the upcoming national budget would include measures to increase the prices of tobacco products, making them less accessible to children and adolescents. Additionally, he assured that actions would be taken to prevent the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of schools and colleges.
Professor Dr Shafiun Nahin Shimul, Director of the Institute of Health Economics of Dhaka University, and Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, were among the speakers at the seminar. Dr Shimul noted that increasing the prices of tobacco products could generate more than TK 85,000 crore in revenue, significantly higher than the current fiscal year.
Iqbal Masud emphasized the importance of tobacco control in protecting public health, stating that reducing tobacco use is crucial for safeguarding public health in the country. He insisted that the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Ordinance- 2025 should be passed in parliament without any dilution, aligning with the government’s election manifesto and commitments to control non-communicable diseases and implement the FCTC.
The seminar’s speakers urged for the inclusion of provisions to ban e-cigarettes in the proposed law and called for its swift passage in the current session of parliament, aiming to shield the younger generation from tobacco-related harm. The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, with contributions from Coordinator of Ahsania Mission Youth Forum Marjana Muntaha and its member Tasnim Hasan Abir.