The distribution of free cigarettes at a concert at Bangladesh’s Dhaka University on Saturday night triggered widespread criticism from students and public health advocates, as the Abul Khair Tobacco Company reportedly set up a stall at the venue to hand out complimentary cigarettes. If true, the incident would violate the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, which prohibits the free distribution of tobacco products and the sponsorship of events by tobacco companies. (It is also illegal to sell tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions.) Breaches of the law carry penalties of up to three months’ imprisonment, fines of up to Tk100,000 ($820), or both. Separately, the government recently raised fines for smoking in public from Tk300 ($2.46) to Tk2,000 ($16.40).
The concert was jointly organized by the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Spirits of July, a student-led nonprofit organization. DUCSU literature and culture secretary Musaddik Ali Ibne Mohammad said he was only aware of a designated “smoking zone” and was unaware of any free cigarette distribution. Neither Spirits of July representatives nor university officials have been available for comment.
