Youth rally to strengthen tobacco control law

Jahangirnagar University (JU) hosted a workshop targeting youth engagement in tobacco control law enforcement, marking a significant step towards Bangladesh's tobacco-free vision. 

The event, held on Thursday at Wazed Miah Science Research Centre, brought together students and academics to strengthen anti-tobacco advocacy.

Prof A.K.M. Rashidul Islam delivered a powerful personal testimony, revealing how tobacco claimed his father's life through lung cancer. 

"I want to stand with you in this anti-tobacco campaign," he declared, urging the newly formed JU Anti-Tobacco Youth Club to demand 100% smoke-free university buildings and ban tobacco companies' Corporate Social Responsibility activities on campus.

Dr. Silvana Ishrat from DORP presented six crucial amendments aligned with WHO Framework Convention guidelines.
 
Key proposals include eliminating designated smoking zones, banning tobacco product displays at point-of-sale, and dramatically increasing pictorial health warnings from 50% to 90% coverage on tobacco packaging.

Prof Dr. Md. Monowar Hossain warned that "youth are the primary target of tobacco companies" who employ deceptive CSR strategies as promotional tactics. 

The workshop equipped founding members of JU Anti-Tobacco Youth Club with knowledge about tobacco dangers, existing control laws, and proposed amendments whilst initiating discussions about creating a completely smoke-free campus.