The whole Bangladesh is hoping of graphic health warning in all tobacco packages. In a recently conducted survey, all participants identified the GHW as an effective practice for tobacco control which will be executed from 19^th March 2016.

The above research findings has been shared in a meeting titled "Implementation of Tobacco Control Act and Current Situation", jointly organized by Tobacco Control Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University (DIU) and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust held on 11^th January 2016 at VIP Lounge of National Press Club.

Mozaffar Hossain Poltu, senior vice-president of National Tuberculosis Prevention Association (NATAB), Abu Naser Khan, Chairman, Paribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), Md. Jashim Uddin, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest discussed in the meeting that is chaired by Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director, WBB Trust. The program was moderated by Aminul Islam Sujon, Executive Editor of Swamaswar, anti tobacco newsletter of the BATA and on the basis of the research, presentation was given by Bazlur Rahman, Assistant Professor, DIU and Member Secretary, TCRC.

In his presentation, Bazlur Rahman said, 100% taskforce member think that Pictorial health warning labels on tobacco products will play a significant role to reduce tobacco use and raise awareness about the harmful consequences of tobacco. Among them, 41% think that pictorial health warning will strengthen the overall tobacco control movement. 30.8% feel that tobacco uses will be reduced and 28.2% believes that awareness will rise on death risk of tobacco.

Saifuddin Ahmed said, after being passed of tobacco control act in 2013 and rules in 2015, awareness of the law has increased among people. However, Article 5.3 of FCTC has much importance to protect public health from the influence of tobacco companies. But the scope of the task force members and people for getting knowledge in this respect is very less. So the cunning tobacco companies are creating obstacles in the implementation of the law. All tobacco companies plot have to stop strictly.

Md. Jasim Uddin said, Union Council elections are coming forward-tobacco uses including bidi, cigarette need to stop in the election. In order to discourage tobacco use in youth student organizations and political parties have to include in tobacco control programs. Particularly, non-smokers have to give priority in the election nomination and political parties leadership.

Environmentalist Abu Naser Khan praised about the research and said, once upon a time anything could not say to anyone for smoking in the bus. But the rights of non-smokers has been established through the tobacco control law, brings a fundamental change which is very positive. Now smoking in public transport or at public places is very low. Tobacco companies are organized culprit- they have created a a situation that obstructs the implementation of the law. Yet the pace of the anti-tobacco movement is commendable. He also emphasized in the importance of tobacco control as well as the control of tobacco cultivation.

Prominent politician Mozaffar Hossain Poltu said, in Bangladesh, commendable progress in tobacco control has been achieved by Prime Minister's uncompromised stand, the political commitment of the government, sincere effort by anti-tobacco organizations and media workers despite of tobacco companies cunning obstacles. To keep up this progress, support should provide to the government and the health minister to encourage effective tobacco control. To defend the conspiracy and conspirators of tobacco companies the role of the media as well as social movement activists have to be active.

In the open discussion, speeches given by Dr. Habibullah Talukdar, Associate Professor and Head of Cancer Epidemiology Department, National Cancer Institute and Hospital; Dr. Mofizul Islam Bulbul, Public Health specialist, Directorate of Health; Helal Ahmed, General Secretary, Prottyasha Anti-drug Organization; AKM Khalilullah, Project Manager, NATAB; Md. Tarikul Islam, Executive Director, ACLAB.

The whole study conducted by TCRC in which field study is led by Farhana Zaman Liza and Md. Mohiuddin, Research Assistant, TCRC and Md. Farhad Hossain, Comilla University has assisted in data analysis. The research has been conducted in 10 districts of Bangladesh.