The junior minister was speaking at the publication of a survey report titled ‘Big Tobacco, Tiny Target Bangladesh’ at the National Press Club on Tuesday morning, where a seminar was also arranged by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM).
The Minister attended the seminar as the chief guest, while Additional Secretary of the Local Government Division Roxana Kader, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Institute Professor Dr. Syed Md. Golam Faruk, National Tobacco Control Cell’s Coordinator Md Khalilur Rahman, Dhaka District Education Officer Md Benajir Ahmmed, Vice President of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Abdul Kayum Talukder and Grants Manager, Campaign for Tobacco-free kids (CTFK) Mr Abdus Salam Miah were present at the occasion.
The report says that although the government banned all types of tobacco marketing including advertisements, promotions, sponsorships and sale of tobacco products to and by minors, the real scenario is very different.
The study found that 90.5% schools and playgrounds were found selling tobacco products within a 100 meter radius, and 81.87% of the point-of-sales displayed tobacco products at children’s eye level (approximately 1 meter) and 64.19% of the tobacco products are being displayed beside candy, sweets or toys. Tobacco products are being advertised and displayed in 82.17% of the point-of-sales which are selling tobacco products around the selected schools and playgrounds.
To explain Government’s concern regarding this situation, the Minister assured that his Ministry will take steps to implement the ban and stop advertisements of tobacco-related products within a 100-meter radius of each school, and also evaluate the steps previously taken by the Ministry.
The event was chaired by Dr M. Ehsanur Rahman, Executive Director, Dhaka Ahsania Mission.