To observe World Consumer Rights Day-2018, Prottyasha Anti-Drug Club, Stamford University, TCRC, CSWPD and WBB Trust jointly organized a human chain program demanding implemention of putting ingredients information, production and expiry date in all tobacco packages on 15 March 2018 in front of Dhanmondi Abahoni Field. The organizers of the program demanded immediate action for implementation of the provisions for giving ingredients, production and expiry date of all tobacco products for the public interest.

Chairman of Poribesh Banchao Andolon (POBA) and Advisor of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) Abu Naser Khan presided over the program while speeches given by Helal Ahmed, Secretary General of Prottyasha Anti-Drug Club; Syeda Anonna Rahman, Program Manager of WBB Trust; Rehana Akter, Advisor of Stamford University Student welfare Club; Dilruba Akter, Director and Mahbubul Huque, Executive Director of BCHRD;  Masum Billah Bhuyan, Officer of Institute of Wellbeing; Ratikul Alam Ratul, representative of TCRC. Abu Rayhan, Assistant Project Officer of WBB Trust moderated the program.

Speakers said, ‘When purchasing any product, it is very important for consumers to know about the manufacturing and expiration date of product, and the existing ingredients (bad and good). According to the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009 (Article 37), if a product is manufactured for sale, it has been compulsory to provide retail price, material, production, expiration date on the package. In can not be an exception for tobacco products. But, in Bangladesh, tobacco companies are marketing their products by violating the consumer rights law.As a result, consumers are being cheated. Regarding the issue, there need a strong and coordinated role of National Tobacco Control Cell and Department of Consumer Rights Protection.

Representatives from various anti-tobacco organizations including AID Foundation, Katnerpara Women Development Organization, Shetu and students of Stamford University were present in the program.