Tobacco control law should be amended to save public health, environment and economic loss. Delay in law amendment will affects women and children severely. Speakers claimed law amendment as soon as possible in a Cycle Rally organized by Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote (BATA), Pratyasha Anti Drugs Club,WBB Trust and NATAB last 31 May 2011 at 11.30 am in front of National Press Club in the morning. Musa Ibrahim, the first Everest mountaineer inaugurated the function which was organized to save the next generation from the impacts of tobacco.

Speakers said that though tobacco control law has been passed, tobacco companies are restlessly working to instigate the young generation to smoking and tobacco use in many tricky ways. Such acts of tobacco companies increase tobacco users. Tobacco advertisements should be banned to keep the youth away from tobacco products.  

Speakers further said that all kinds of tobacco products are harmful for health. To avoid imposing high tax on tobacco products means threatening public health. Tobacco companies are propagating much wrong information as government has undertaken imposition of high tax and amending tobacco control law.

They further said tobacco companies are not content by advertising; they are trying to motivate the policy makers as well. It is important to implement article 5.3 of FCTC to counter company interventions which will keep tobacco control activities free from the influence of tobacco companies. Speakers in the rally demanded, imposition of high tax on tobacco products to save public health, and environment, amendment of tobacco control law, and strict action to control tobacco farming. Organizations of Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote (BATA) including NATAB, Hunger Project, Manobik, Manab Unnayan Sangstha, Nirapad Development Foundation, PSS, ACLAB, and AID participated in the function.