ঢাকাবুধবার , ১০ জুন ২০২৬
Government of Bangladesh launched a 6-week media campaign titled ‘Ban on Tobacco Advertisement, Promotion and Sponsorship (TAPS)’ this week, from 16 April to 31 May 2025 to make people aware about the tobacco control law. The campaign video, produced with support from Vital Strategies, will run on BTV. This campaign has been supplemented by social media platform ‘Stop Tobacco Bangladesh’ (STB) through various media such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram to reach younger audience.
Tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship is banned by Tobacco Control Law. The video narrates how cunningly Tobacco Industry (TI) violates the provision of law to trap people, the youth in particular. The TI employs all its alluring techniques to attract young people to tobacco products through placement of tempting and eye-catching advertisement at strategic points. The first scene takes place in a store, where cigarette packets are attractively displayed. A teenage boy, though in a shop with his mother, falls to the trap of the TI as his attention is drawn to the cigarette packets, creating chances to spark an interest in cigarettes.
Next, a tobacco industry representative approaches young people to promote cigarette smoking. This scene emphasizes how cigarette advertising and promotion attract young people. Later, in a tea shop, a cigarette advertisement is clearly displayed, which may attract even more young people. At one point, a teenager easily buys a cigarette from a roadside shop, proving that the availability and advertising of cigarettes in violation of the law can make young people addicted to smoking. Ultimately, all the scenes taken together highlight how cigarette advertising can influence young people’s lifestyles.
This campaign finally highlights the ban on tobacco advertising and promotion and sale to and by underage of 18 years old. For tobacco advertising and promotion, the punishment is 1 lac taka and three months imprisonment or both. For selling tobacco products to underage children of 18-years old and below, the fine is five thousand taka.
Md. Shafiqul Islam, Senior Consultant of Vital Strategies, doubled down on the consistent enforcement of the TC Law, the TAPS ban provisions in particular to protect the teenagers under 18 years from being tempted and addicted to tobacco products. He reiterated that tobacco control law banned all direct and indirect tobacco advertisement and promotion including on print or electronic media, books, leaflet, handbill, poster, billboard, signboard, theater hall and webpage. No tobacco products can be demonstrated or distributed as sample, free or at a reduced price. Donation, awards, scholarships or sponsoring any event by the tobacco industry is prohibited. Scenes with tobacco use are banned in films, dramas or documentaries on TV, radio, internet, stage or any other media. Moreover, tobacco product display at the point of sale is also banned.’
Aminul Islam Sujon, Technical Adviser, Vital Strategies says, tobacco control law banned selling tobacco products to any minor under 18 years old. There are lacks in awareness among people of these sections of the law. The tobacco industries are violating the law and doing tobacco advertisement and promotions through internet – that is a punishable offence.
He added that the government should implement the tobacco control law to protect teens and young adults from tobacco addiction. At the same time the tobacco control law should be amended to make this stronger aligned with the WHO FCTC.
