Should all sorts of tobacco products be banned by law?

Why or why not?

The Government never thought of the detrimental impact of tobacco on health, on the economy, or the
environment – none of that was thought of neither by the Government nor by any NGO before 2003.

Some key facts:

 There are 25 tobacco growing districts with 42,242 hectares of tobacco cultivation.
 23% of the adult population smokes of which 44.7% of men and 1.5% of women.
 2.8% of young people aged 13-15 smokes of which 4.3% of boys and 1% of girls.
 Bidis are the most affordable products 25-35 pieces are sold for10 US cents.
 A low-range cigarette pack of 20 costs50 US cents and a premium pack of 20 Marlboro costs
US$ 2.50.
 80 billion cigarette sticks, and 50 billion bidis were manufactured and consumed domestically in
2014.
 51% of the retail price of the most popular brand of cigarette is tax.
 12.86% of British American Tobacco Bangladesh is owned by the Investment Corporation of
Bangladesh, a statutory corporation of the Bangladeshi government.

It is clearly established that tobacco smoking harms the health of both the smoker and the non-smoker,
leading to respiratory and cardiac diseases and lung cancer. This should be enough for us to commit
ourselves to motivate people to work towards a smoke-free planet.

(1) Why using tobacco or smoking should be banned:

Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death, killing more than 7 million people every
year. More than its enormous toll of disease, suffering, and death, tobacco use also burdens the
global economy with an estimated US$ 1.4 trillion in healthcare costs and lost productivity each year.

Some studies have suggested that smoking may be associated with a reduced risk of developing thyroid

From the very first cigarette, every use of tobacco causes more damage to damage to our lungs. This is
because tobacco use scars damages our tissue and scars our lungs. Over time this scarring causes chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and
tuberculosis.

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The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm our blood cells. They also can damage the function of our
heart and the structure and function of our blood vessels. This damage increases our risk of
atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up
in the arteries.
Restrictions on cigarette smoking can be traced back as early the 16th century and up to now, this issue
remains to be controversial. Smoking ban is a policy that prohibits smoking in public places like
restaurants, workplaces, parks, malls, government offices and schools, among others. 

They reduce the risk of second-hand smoke: Passing a law to prohibit smoking in public
places can lessen the possibility of second-hand smoke being inhaled by non-smokers. Second-hand
smoke, according to experts, can lead to increased risk to emphysema, cardiovascular disorders and
respiratory problems. By restricting the places where smoking is allowed, this can be prevented.

They lessen air pollution: Countries and cities which have non-smoking policies and prohibited
smoking in restaurants and public indoor spaces have better indoor air quality as opposed to cities which
still allow smoking public.

They reduce healthcare costs: Reports indicate that reduced health costs in cities were smoking are
restricted. And since health care costs take around 9.3% of the country’s GDP, reducing it can affect the
economy in a positive way.

They decrease the possibility of fires: Smoking can increase the risks of fire in places with highly
flammable materials. There have been instances of fires which started from lit cigarettes. Moreover,
accidents related to explosions at work sites can also happen if smoking will not be prohibited.

They reduce wastes: Cigarette butts are non-biodegradable and can clog water systems if thrown
recklessly. With banning smoking in public places, there will be lesser cigarette butts and lesser toxic
garbage that can be stuck in water systems.

They contribute to lower energy consumption and personal expenses: If smoking is banned in
public places such as shopping malls and restaurants, there will be lesser need to use ventilation and this
can result to lesser energy consumption and in effect, lesser expense. As for smokers, an individual who
smokes a pack a day spends less than $20 each day and around $720 a year. With smoking bans, it can
reduce the expense for cigarette purchase of a smoker in half.

They result to cleaner areas where food is prepared and manufactured: With restricting
smoking, supporters posit that this can ensure cleanliness is observed in food preparation in restaurants
and in the streets. Moreover, smoking bans in workplaces and pharmaceuticals also contribute to cleaner
indoor quality as well as maintaining cleanliness.

They lessen the chance of influencing others to take on the habit: Supporters for smoking bans
claim that cigarette smoking is also considered a status symbol and some teenagers can be influenced to
smoke just to fit it. If these young people will be exposed to smoking less, they will not be easily tempted
to try.

They improve work productivity: Not all people smoke at the office. If smoking is allowed, non-
smoker can still inhale the smoke and it can be bothersome for them to smell the smoke. On the other

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hand, if it is prohibited, employees can be more productive. They also added that smoking can cause
respiratory infections and smokers are prone to these. If employees smoke less, chances are, the risk of
getting sick is minimized. Young people as the country's assets . The youth in the society loses their
ability to work, service attitude, and creativity, due to tobacco addiction and they become a burden for the
nation in the process."

(2) Why using tobacco or smoking should not be banned:

Without the cultivation of tobacco, manufacture of tobacco products, and distribution and sale of
products, a country's economy will suffer devastating economic consequences. Jobs will be lost, incomes
will fall, tax revenues will plummet, and trade surpluses will veer dangerously in the direction of deficits.

Tobacco isn't famous for its health benefits. But now scientists have succeeded in using genetically
modified tobacco plants to produce medicines for several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases,
including diabetes.

They take away freedom from people: Some critics see smoking bans as a violation on one’s
personal liberty. They argue that people should have the autonomy to decide on what kind of lifestyle
they will have. Although they are not totally against banning smoking, they say that it should be a
personal choice.

They can affect businesses: Business owners who are not in favor of smoking bans as well as
smokers who are used to smoking in public places such as restaurants and coffee shops argue that
restricting smoking in these places can drive customers away and this can be harmful to businesses. And
as for establishments which are already smoke-free, competition will be higher. It will also be harder for
them to leverage since there will be more businesses that are smoke-free.

They drive people to smokers to smoke somewhere else: Some critics contend that banning
smoking in some places just leaves smokers no choice but to do it somewhere else. This can even lead to
increase cases of DUI fatalities since smokers might drive to other places just so they can smoke.

They result to lesser tax revenues for the government: People against smoking bans are
concerned on the effect on government revenues if the push for smoke-free states will be implemented.
They say that the government earns from high taxes paid by tobacco manufacturers and smokers. If
cigarettes will be reduced, this would mean lesser taxes and lesser revenue for the government.

Conclusion
Bangladesh, a country with heavy burden of tobacco-related ill health, is currently implementing several
of the best buy (MPOWER) measures to reduce tobacco use, with four measures at the highest level of
achievement. The heavy burden of tobacco-related ill health in Bangladesh is rooted in the country’s high
production and consumption of tobacco products, thus Bangladesh is one of the five focus countries of the
Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use (BI). According to the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco
Epidemic 2015, the prevalence of adult smoking (persons aged 15 years and over) in Bangladesh fell
from 34.6% to 20% between 2000 and 2013. More than a quarter of the adult population in Bangladesh

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use smokeless tobacco (SLT), contributing to high prevalence of oral cancer and other tobacco-related
illnesses. SLTs are available in various forms including Zarda, Gul, Khaini and Sada Pata. The price of
SLT products is very low, making it affordable to everyone.

Tobacco control is very essential to attain the 3rd goal of SDG where healthy lives for all can be ensured.
For a healthy nation to substantiate the development process in Bangladesh social awareness and all-out
efforts are necessary for tobacco control. Emphasize must be given in discouraging the use of tobacco in
any form, raising consciousness among people and doing advocacy at policy level otherwise Bangladesh
will not be able to achieve goal 3 of SDG “good health and well being”

Not only to attain SDG 3 but also SDG 1 “No Poverty” & SGD 2 “Zero Hunger” we must make
Bangladesh a tobacco control country with alternative profitable cultivation replacing existing tobacco
cultivation. It as one of the best ways to reduce tobacco production. Tobacco growing has a negative
impact, such as deforestation and destroying land fertility, endangering population health and food
security. It is the responsibility of GOB to encourage and to support farmers’ transition to alternative
disaster resilient livelihoods. As a result of WHO Framework convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)’s
efforts, the government has included provisions in the 2005 and 2013 Acts to discourage tobacco
cultivation and production and encourage the cultivation of alternative crops.

The controversy on smoking bans is not to leave the debate arena soon. There will always be people who
will advocate for banning smoking in public places for concerns on health issues and fire hazards.
However, there are also those who are firm in opposing it. And although there is a higher percentage of
people who are behind smoking bans, imposing these policies nationwide is not going to happen in the
near future because the views of people will always be divided. Even on this debate Bangladesh has been
successful at informing the public and health providers about the harm of tobacco, through anti-tobacco
educational and media campaigns. Bangladesh has made significant advances in ensuring smoke-free
environments. With WHO FCTC help following ratification, Bangladesh implemented smoke-free
environments under the terms of the 2005 Act. The number of such environments expanded with the 2013
amendment to the Act. Presently, government offices, hospitals, health-care facilities, childcare facilities,
schools, public places (e.g. shops, cultural facilities), hotels and public transport terminals are 100%
smoke-free.

National Anti-Tobacco Platform (NATP) has been working on discouraging the use of tobacco in any
form, raising consciousness among people and doing advocacy at policy level. Many anti-tobacco
organizations have taken different interventions, but due to lack of proper coordination expected
outcomes have not been achieved. It is expected that NATP will act as a coordinator for tobacco free
Bangladesh and anti-tobacco movement should be duly sensitized and made into a social movement for a
safe public health.

Even there are debates on banning and non-banning of tobacco Bangladesh has already going forward
with tobacco control by collaboration with WHO in 2010, and the achievements are as follows: the
National Board of Revenue has set up a Tobacco Tax Cell; with WHO technical support, the Tobacco Tax
Cell drafted a “Tobacco tax policy and 5-year roadmap” based on international best practices – the first of
its kind in Bangladesh; with technical support from WHO, the Tobacco Tax Cell also drafted a situation
report on tobacco taxation based on data collected for the central database. This document is also the first
of its kind prepared by the National Board of Revenue.

Bangladesh became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on
February 27, 2005.

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