That the country would be tobacco free by 2040 as revealed by a source close to the government is an encouraging piece of news but the way tobacco consumption is going on does not give any positive sign about the matter. According to a report of this newspaper on Wednesday, speakers at an advocacy meeting in Rajshahi unequivocally called for combating the existing violation of the amended tobacco control law for the sake of making the public health free from various non-contagious diseases caused by tobacco uses.

There was no dearth of statements in the past that action would be taken against the companies for not publishing health hazard cautions with pictures on the packets of tobacco products in line with the Smoking and Tobacco Products (Control) Act. But the reality is that it did not happen. The government has to spend more money in the health sector than it earns from the tobacco companies as revenue. Smoking in public places is a chronic practice and it is showing no sign of abetting. It is appalling to observe that gross violation of the Tobacco Control Act is going on at the restricted areas including public places threatening public health.

The smokers do not know what a terrible blow they are inflicting on their health and the health of others. There are people who are accustomed to taking raw tobacco with betel leaves and nuts. This is more harmful than smoking. There is no enforcement of the law banning smoking in public places. Taking advantage of it scores of people are smoking in public places exposing themselves and the others to serious health hazards.   

According to the WHO, if the current trend of tobacco consumption continues, by the year 2030, tobacco use could cause eight million deaths annually in the world. Bangladesh is more vulnerable to the mortality because here cigarettes are cheaper than other countries. The government has imposed taxes on the production of tobacco. It may discourage tobacco cultivation to some extent.

The initiatives taken by government and NGOs to campaign against the detrimental impact of tobacco consumption are not encouraging. Smokers can be alerted by the effective implementation of the law on the mandatory display of health warnings on the 50 percent display space of all tobacco products. Advertising, promotion and sponsorship related to tobacco will also have to be prohibited in all print and electronic media.