Press Release:

Home Minister Assured Support in Tobacco Control

Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared to build a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040 to prevent premature deaths due to tobacco, protect the youth and reduce the overall damage of tobacco. In order to implement the commitment of the Prime Minister, the amendment work is ongoing with the aim of strengthening the existing Tobacco Control Act under the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The founding president of MANAS – Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse Prof. Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury met the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on January 18, 2023 at Bangladesh Secretariat requesting support for the amendment of the Tobacco Control Act. During the meeting, he discussed with the Hon’ble Minister the various initiatives of the government in tobacco control and drug related issues and gave a letter regarding the request for support in the amendment of the Tobacco Control Act on behalf of the organization.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal MP said the government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against drugs. Smoking is the gateway to drugs. Our teenagers are suffering from terrible drug addiction with cigarettes. Therefore, smoking and tobacco products should be more strictly controlled. He also assured the utmost cooperation from his ministry in tobacco control.

It should be noted that the TI’s are strongly opposing the good initiative of the government to amend the Tobacco Control Act. Misleading propaganda is influencing the policy-making level so that this auspicious initiative of the government does not bear fruit.