Bangladesh First Anti Tobacco Activites.

For the first time in Bangladesh, an exhibition of pictorial warning labels on tobacco packs was held during 2-4 October 2011 at National Press Club. The exhibition was a great success considering the involvement of a good number of policy makers and in gaining their support for the on-going efforts of amendment of the tobacco control law. About 35 pictures of graphic warning labels from different countries were exhibited for the three days.
The exhibition was complemented by a press conference, a rally and three seminars on the theme of pack warning and law amendment on the three days. Each of the seminars was attended by a cabinet minister or state minister and a number of parliamentarians (MPs). In addition, the leading tobacco control personalities also attended the seminars.
The exhibition was inaugurated by the Industry Minister through uncovering three large demo packs of tobacco products – cigarette, bidi and jarda (chewing tobacco) followed by a seminar on the need for pictorial warning. The Industry Minister stated his all out support for the law amendment, in particular for introducing pictorial warning in the amended law.
The State Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs attended the second day seminar and was highly supportive of the law amendment. He reiterated the strong position of himself and most of his colleagues in the Cabinet to fight any industry influence in the course of law amendment. The final day seminar was attended by the State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, who also confirmed his ministry’s position to amend the law.
Each day, the exhibition was open from 10 am to 5 pm and a good number of visitors viewed it each day. The even got considerable coverage both in the print and electronic media. This event supported by The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and jointly organized by AID Society and Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).

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Iqbal Masud
Member, CAB and
Coordinator
Dhaka Ahsania Mission-AMIC