Expanded Tobacco Control Law a Milestone for Public Health in Bangladesh, Must be Protected from Efforts of Big Tobacco
Statement of Smita Baruah, Executive Vice President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Washington, D.C. – The government of Bangladesh has approved the country’s expanded tobacco control law, a move that will save lives and position Bangladesh to drive down soaring rates of tobacco use.
The amended law introduces a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising including on online and digital platforms, bans the sale of tobacco within 100 meters of schools, hospitals, children’s parks and sports venues and strengthens protections from secondhand smoke by removing designated smoking areas in public places. Additionally, the law requires large pictorial warning labels covering 75 percent of the front and back of tobacco product packaging.
Together these measures will drive down rates of tobacco use, save lives and protect kids from addiction to tobacco. Tobacco companies know that strong tobacco control laws work to stop people from smoking and prevent young people from starting to smoke, so they do everything in their power to undermine lifesaving laws like this. It is crucial that these measures be protected from the interests of the world’s largest tobacco companies.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids joins the global public health community in congratulating Bangladesh for this significant step toward a healthier future and stands ready to support the implementation of this lifesaving law.