Campaigners claim tobacco promoted illegally

Tobacco companies are advertising at shops across Bangladesh even though it is a punishable offence to do so, according to a story in the Daily Star quoting anti-tobacco campaigners speaking at a seminar yesterday.

In addition, tobacco companies were awarding complimentary prizes to customers, holding job fairs and debating competitions on university premises, and sponsoring concerts to attract young people, said Hasan Shahriar, co-ordinator of Progga, which was one of the organizers of the seminar at Dhaka’s Jatiya Press Club.

The Star reported that, according to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, the undertaking of any activities aimed at increasing tobacco use was punishable by up to three months in prison, a fine of Tk100,000 or both.

Reportedly, the tobacco companies are not suffering any sanctions.