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Work for a Better Bangladesh,

Tobacco Control Advocates urged for law amendment for FCTC implementation

4th National Workshop on Tobacco control held on Koitta, Manikgonj. The workshop organize by Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote (Bangladesh Anti-Tobaccco Alliance) and WBB Trust. Around the country 140 organization representative from 55 district was attend the workshop.

Though there have many positive aspects in Smoking and Using Tobacco Products (Control) Act-2005, some subtle loopholes save Tobacco Companies and other law violating agencies even if they violate the law.A total of 170 representatives of 140 organizations from 55 districts attendeed the two day biennial workshop urged for improved Tobaco control law to ensure implementation of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Tobacco Control Advocates vowed to work together for the next two years to implement the demands made in Koitta decleration in the 4^th National workshop held from January 8-9, 2010 at Proshikha Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), Koitta, Manikgong jointly organized by WBB Trust and Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote (Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA).

The National Workshop was organized to strengthen tobacco control movement in the local level as well as hitting upon the plan of action for next two years and sharing the ideas and views regarding tobacco control law implementation, making smoke free public places, increasing tobacco taxation, tobacco control law development, role of NGOs in activating taskforce and media advocacy etc were discussed in the workshop.

About WBB Trust

Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose goal is to improve public health and the environment through research, material development, advocacy, media work, capacity building of NGOs, and networking.

Specifically, we seek to improve health, personal and national economy, and the environment by promoting non-motorized transport and public transit in place of private cars; by supporting policies to reduce active and passive tobacco use; and by reducing noise pollution and the use of disposable plastics and plastic bags. We also seek to improve the condition of all citizens by working for a more gender-equitable society and reducing violence against women.

Urban Transport

Two key approaches exist to reducing traffic congestion. One involves building more roads in order to accommodate ever more traffic. Yet in city after city which has tried this model, the result has been the same: more roads simply invite more traffic, and it is impossible for supply to keep up with demand. A second approach is to decrease demand through sensible urban planning, to encourage space-efficient modes (fuel-free transport such as walking, cycling, and cycle rickshaws) and public transit while discouraging cars. By reducing road space for cars and improving conditions for other modes, traffic congestion declines through a process known as traffic evaporation. Further benefits include enormous savings of money and space that can be better used elsewhere, decreased congestion, far fewer and less deadly traffic crashes, and more opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.

Gender and Society

WBB Trust believes that many difficult problems faced by people throughout the world are a result of societies that value money over people. If people were given key importance rather than money, and the standing of any individual country rated by how well its people are doing on a range of livelihood and quality of life issues rather than by GDP (production of goods, including harmful and useless ones) per capita, then it would be far easier to promote pro-people policies. In a society that valued people over money, gender issues would also play out very differently, as the traditional role of women in maintaining the home and caring for others would gain far more importance and recognition than currently.

Regional Transportation

The movement of people and goods is a necessary part of life. Unfortunately, it can also take a devastating toll on the environment and on human life, using fuel that causes pollution and contributes to climate change, and injuring and killing people through road crashes.

Yet the situation could be much better. For long-distance movement, be it of people or goods, travel by train is far better than by plane, bus, truck or car on a variety of measures. Travel by train requires less expensive infrastructure and upkeep than roads and highways. It requires far less fuel per passenger. It is far more affordable for passengers. It requires far less road space. It is better for the environment as it uses less fuel. It is many times less likely to result in serious injury or death to passengers. And operating a rail service can provide much employment.

Tobacco and Health

WBB Trust has been working on tobacco control since its founding in 1998. The aim of our program is to support law and policy that will lead to population-wide reductions in tobacco use. International experience shows that only through laws and policies will large reductions in tobacco use occur. The key policies WBB Trust addresses are regular increase of taxes on tobacco products above inflation, banning of all forms of tobacco promotion and sponsorship, expansion of smoke-free public places, and strong, graphic warnings on tobacco packs.More recently WBB began working on health policy, specifically on the importance of prevention and the need to improve the quality of government services rather than privatize them.

Urban Agriculture

While it is commonly believed that agriculture happens only in rural areas, in fact vast quantities of food are grown in cities, including such dense and modern ones as Beijing.
When food is grown within city limits, cities acquire more green spaces and residents have more access to healthy, affordable produce. Growing food within a short distance of consumers reduces the need for long-distance shipping, thereby contributing to fresher food, lower fuel use, and a more direct relationship between growers and buyers.

Environment

The Government of Bangladesh has taken strong initiatives to address environmental issues. These include the law banning polythene bags and regulations on noise pollution. But more effort is needed to ensure proper enforcement of existing laws and to draft legal measures to address other issues. The Environment Court is to date not properly utilized, yet represents an excellent opportunity for addressing environmental issues.

Water and Sanitation

Water is the foundation of life, our most precious resource, without which we cannot survive. Proper sanitation is essential to a healthy existence. The two are also intimately connected, with improper sanitation being the key reason for the contamination of drinking water.

Water and sanitation, though both essential to survival, do not receive equal attention. Many of those working on water prefer not to address the “dirty” issue of sanitation. Yet given the importance and complexity of resolving sanitation problems, more attention must be given to the issue. Only by addressing both can we make genuine progress.

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