Tobacco.org

• Tobacco claims 5.4m a year worldwide: WHO report  

About 5.4 million people die every year across the globe due to tobacco consumption and the number will go over 8 million by 2030 if immediate steps are not taken, the World Health Organisation (WHO) report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008 said yesterday.

At the launching ceremony of the report at a city hotel, it was also revealed that more than 80 percent of the tobacco victims would die in the developing countries alone by 2030 if tobacco control programme is not augmented by this time. . . .

The report outlined the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures . . .

This year National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has won the Global Award on the World No Tobacco Day.

WHO representative to Bangladesh Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol handed over the crest to Uzzal Bikash Dutt, joint secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on the occasion.

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• Tobacco curbs hit Bidi exports  

The bidi export market is seeing a downward trend and confusion prevails among bidi exporters about the actual figures. But exporters present a unanimous front on the reasons for the fall. The restrictions on tobacco the world over are seen as the chief reason for the exporters' woes.

Low-cost cigarettes seem to be the other villains. Bidi exporters are slowly losing hold over the Middle East, which has been the mainstay for many companies, like Nimex Trading Corporation. “The Middle East accounts for about 90% of our exports,” says Nimex proprietor Parvez A Khatri. The Asian population in these countries constitutes the major clientele for bidis. However, cigarette manufacturers in Bangladesh who are supplying their wares at cheap rates, are beginning to eat into their markets.

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Tax increase should lead to price increase of tobacco products for reduction of consumption, expert opined 

The government of Bangladesh has undertaken several initiatives to reduce tobacco use among all sections of population. It has passed a comprehensive tobacco control law. Yet there are several loop holes according to the experts working to reduce the use of tobacco.

Dr Khalil Rahman, Regional Coordinator for Tobacco Control for South-East Asia region of World Health Organisation (WHO) recently shared his views with Star Health about contemporary situation of tobacco in the region.

Dr Khalil informed that Bangladesh is facing double burden of tobacco.

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Cigarette prices up in retail market 

Traders yesterday voiced that they are not sure as to how the budget will affect the wholesale and retail prices of different products as certain clauses of the budget proposal are still not clear to them and as there might be some changes in the proposed budget.

However, a visit to the market shows that there has been a marked increase in the prices of cigarettes. The retailers claimed this is due to the budget proposal of increasing duties on tobacco products.

The cost per stick of Gold Leaf and Benson and Hedges, two popular brands of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), has increased by Tk 0.50.

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World No Tobacco Day observed 

World No Tobacco Day was observed across the country on Saturday as elsewhere in the world stressing the need for stopping tobacco use, especially among the youths.

This year's theme for the day was: Tobacco Free Youth: Safer and Healthier.

Some 85 percent young people, aged 12-24, out of 1.8 billion around the world, live in developing countries. . . .

Like every year, ADHUNIK, a leading anti-tobacco organization, observed through holding a discussion meeting at the National Press Club.

Speaking on the occasion, CAT (Coalition Against Tobacco) President and ADHUNIK Senior Vice-President Amanullah Khan said the youth community is the main target and victim of the tobacco companies. Because if tobacco companies could enlist the youth addicts, they would become their customers for life.

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ISLAM/JABBAR: The Tobacco Control Act: A disgraceful scenario 

the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare added to its fame and glory as the then Minister had the opportunity to preside over the FCTC (Framework Convention on tobacco Control) in the 56th World Health Assembly in presence of 172 countries of the world. The resolution was passed unanimously and Bangladesh was the first country to ratify.

A disgraceful scenario in implementing the Act

Despite the strength of Tobacco Control Act behind us, we visualise a disgraceful scene projecting the total failure in the implementation of the Act.

This is because the concerned authorities are indifferent in implementing the Tobacco Control Act. . . .

Conclusion

Bangladesh Tobacco Products Usages & Control Act-2005 is an admirable achievement of the Government and a victory for the tobacco antagonists.

ADHUNIK is a pioneer organisation in anti-tobacco campaign working for almost two decades since 1987 for such an Act in Bangladesh.

If the Government becomes conscious and the law enforcing authorities are made aware of their responsibilities, the implementation of the Act should not have been difficult, Ministry of Health can play vital role by declaring all medical institutes in the capital and the rural health centres tobacco free.

Civil society has also responsibility in this direction. We all need to work together for implementation of the Tobacco Control Act to achieve the objectives of the theme of the WHO this year - Tobacco Free Youth for ultimately building a tobacco free environment which is safer and healtheir.

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Tobacco cultivation going on in Nilphamari 

Though the government is trying to discourage farmers in cultivating tobacco in the country the cultivation of tobacco is not decreasing in Nilphamari district.

It is to be mentioned here that every year tobacco is being cultivated on vast tracts of land in the district. ssThis year, following the high prices of tobacco farmers are being encouraged in cultivating tobacco in the district.

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• Awareness, protests cut tobacco cultivation in southwestern districts 

Tobacco cultivation in seven southwestern districts which got a big boost several years ago is declining due to awareness about its harmful effect on soil and health following protests and campaign and also because of farmers' need to grow more food.

Farmers now say its cultivation decreases fertility and deposits harmful ingredients in soil.

According to sources in the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and officials of now defunct Tobacco Development Board (TDB), tobacco cultivation declined to 14000 hectares in the areas in the current season from last year's 17000 hectares. .. .

The seven districts known for tobacco cultivation are Kushtia, Meherpur, Jhenidah, Chuadanga, Magura, Jessore and Rajbari.

Tobacco cultivation increased in the country mainly at the behwest of cigarette and Bidi companies. Its main buyers were 17 companies including multinational British American Tobacco (BAT. . . .

According to sources, Bidi and cigarette companies have been using various 'unhealthy' techniques to lure farmers into tobacco farming for long. They provide interest-free loans, seeds, fertilisers, technical support and buy back facilities to farmers.

These companies have a large number of field workers to do the job. They lure farmers into tobacco cultivation, and get 'tips' from companies for 'good performance'.

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• Bangladesh braces for tobacco war as Akij starts selling Marlboro by April 

Bangladesh braces for the fiercest tobacco war in less than two months' time when volume leader Akij will launch Marlboro in the country, hoping to end the decades-long dominance by British American Tobacco.

Akij's young managing director Sheikh Bashiruddin would not say when exactly the world's biggest tobacco brand will be launched, but add success of Marlboro would be vital for making the sprawling Group a billion dollar company by 2012.

"Marlboro is a premium tobacco brand leader across the globe. I don't see why it would not grab the leadership in Bangladesh," the 37-year chief said. . . .

Akij is launching the global tobacco leader Philip Morris's brand as a franchisee. The US-based world's largest tobacco company has audited and validated the factory where the premium brand would be produced using imported roasted tobacco.

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Govt urged to increase taxes on tobacco products 

Bangladesh Anti-tobacco Alliance urged the government to increase taxes on tobacco products in the coming budget for controlling the massive use of tobacco in the country, reports UNB.

"Taxes on all tobacco products including dried tobacco leaves, `gul' and `zarda' have to be increased for effectively controlling the use of tobacco," general secretary of Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Kazi Faruk told a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club Wednesday.

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Stop ads on tobacco products 

Speakers at a view exchange meeting in the city urged the government to stop all kinds of advertisements on tobacco and tobacco products.

At present, the amount of fine for violating the Anti-Tobacco Act by tobacco companies in the country is very low. To implement the Act the rate of the fine should be increased considerably, they said.

They urged the government to take effective steps for implementation of the Anti Tobacco Act. Banning of advertisements of tobacco in print and electronic media and increase in smoke free zones in public places across the country have helped implement the Anti Tobacco Act at present, they said.

The view exchange meeting on 'Achievement of controlling use of tobaccos and remedies' jointly organised by non-government organisations, WBB Trust, The Union and Manobik at the National Press Club yesterday.

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• Anti-smoking law still in name only 

Having to put up with Dhaka's chaotic and terrible bus services is one thing, but breathing in fumes in an enclosed place is quite another. It gets only worse for the people like Mizanur Rahman who are allergic to cigarette smoke or suffering from asthma.

After years of suffering this aerial assault, Mizan, a Mohammadpur resident, finally decided to put pen to paper and make his point about the nuisance of smoking in public places. He decided to send his complaint to some of the daily newspapers, saying that smoking in public transportations reflects the carelessness and absence of civic sense of the citizens.

"A number of arrogant and senseless people including bus drivers, their helpers and even 'educated' passengers tend to smoke away to glory with little concern for the people around them," wrote Mizanur Rahman. . . .

In 2005, with an aim to discourage smoking, the ban of smoking in public and advertisement of tobacco products stirred a surge of awareness amongst the majority of the smoking population. However, as the ban was not widely publicises it was rather short-lived -- thanks to the poor show by authorities concerned.

Majority of the city dwellers still seem to be confused about the law as it failed to clearly define the places off-limits to smoking and advertisement of tobacco products. Hoardings by cigarette companies still deck the roofs of shops throughout the city

"I know that smoking in public and vehicles is prohibited. But I'm not sure about the places falling under the prohibition," said Sharif Mahmud, a student of Dhaka University.

The law prohibits smoking at academic institutions, government, semi-government and autonomous offices, libraries, lifts, hospitals, clinics, court buildings, airports, sea and river port buildings, railway stations, bus terminals, buses, ferries, cinema halls, indoor exhibition centres, theatres and children's parks.

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• Marlboros to make Bangladesh debut  

The world's leading tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris has tied up with a Bangladeshi firm to sell Marlboro cigarettes in the local market, company officials said Sunday.

The Marlboros will be manufactured and distributed by the Dhaka Tobacco Company, the company's chief executive officer Sheikh Bashir Uddin told reporters.

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KHAN: Fighting the tobacco epidemic 

The lies or myths surrounding tobacco are deliberately put into circulation by the tobacco companies not only to make sure that their products remain in circulation against the threats they face but also to push their sales as part of their survival and expansion strategies. Shorn of any moral foundation, these killer companies are caught up in a desperate situation of not 'do or die' but of 'kill or die'. They get fresh leases of life by inventing new ways of marketing that give them license to indulge in killing sprees and orgies of mass murder.

Eying for hefty profits at an enormous cost to the public health, the tobacco giants continue to operate their 'death trade' enjoying complete immunity and staying beyond accountability under the state patronage mostly in the developing countries. . . .

It has been the mission of premier national anti-tobacco organisations ADHUNIK and CAT (Coalition Against Tobacco) to dismantle the smokescreen erected by tobacco companies around their toxic products to enable the people to see the light of the truth that lay buried under the trash of smoked ashes. As anti-tobacco campaigners, we must renew our pledge on WNTD 2007 to continue our all-out war on tobacco until we can rid the world from its scourge beginning with Bangladesh.

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Prevalence of cigarette and bidi smoking among rickshaw pullers in Dhaka city 

Conclusion

The prevalence of smoking among rickshaw pullers is very high compared to that in general population. Immediate intervention programs are warranted to reduce the future burden of smoking related morbidity among them who are already exposed to tremendous pollution on city roads.

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