World No Tobacco Day Today

Law fails to curb tobacco use

30 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Pankaj Karmakar

Five years into its enactment, Tobacco Control Act has remained largely ineffective, allowing the tobacco companies to continue promoting tobacco products in various strategic ways. In the last five years, no regular case has been filed against any tobacco companies on charges of violating the law. Today is the World No Tobacco Day. The theme of the day of this year is 'Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women'. Back in 2004, 37 percent of people were found to be tobacco consumers. The figure shot up to 43.3 percent last year, according to a study of World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In 2007, two years after the enactment of the law, the government issued a directive to form taskforces at every district and upazila to implement the Tobacco Control Act. But most taskforces remain inactive and did not take any initiative to achieve the goal. Even the national taskforce held only one meeting in the last three years. The Tobacco Control Act has also a number of loopholes, which are obstacles to its success, said Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury, founder president of the Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse. According to the law, only the first class magistrate can fine anybody smoking in public places, while the law enforcers only have the authority to arrest an offender. Terming this provision a major loophole, anti-tobacco activists said if the law enforcers have the authority to fine smokers, it would be easier to enforce the law. According to the law, 'no-smoking' sign must be displayed at the public places where smoking is banned. But no such signs are found in public places. The law prohibits tobacco advertising and distribution of any kind of leaflet or promotional materials. But a number of cigarette companies continue to distribute T-shirts, glasses and lighters displaying company logos to promote their brands. But the law enforcement agencies have turned a blind eye to such illegal activities. The law has made it mandatory for all tobacco companies to print warning messages on cigarette packets. But the Bidi companies do not comply. Syed Mahbubul Alam, convener of the Tobacco Law Implementation Committee of Bangladesh Anti-tobacco Alliance, said anti-tobacco drives by mobile courts are not sufficient and regular. The drives should be stepped up and conducted regularly to properly enforce the law. The health ministry has recently taken an initiative to review the Tobacco Control Act. A committee formed by the ministry has already submitted a draft copy, said a source of the ministry. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 57,000 people die and 3.82 lakh others become paralysed due to tobacco-related diseases in the country a year. The government earns Tk 5,000 crore revenue from the tobacco sector, while the countrymen spend Tk 11,000 crore on treatment for tobacco-related diseases a year, said a study of Human Development Research Centre.