Although the Government taken has various programs for tobacco control, tobacco companies are encouraging people to use tobacco products by taking different strategies. As a part of encouraging use of tobacco products, point of sales are forming here and there in uncontrolled way. Demanding compulsory licensing on the sale of all types tobacco products for banning the sale of such unhealthy products anywhere and everywhere the allies organizations of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) organized a sit-in program on 31 December 2016 in front of National Press Club.

In the program, speakers said, “Although government is very positive tobacco control but tobacco companies are violating the laws tactfully. There is more than 90 point of sales from Shangkar bus stand to Shimanto Square. This scenario is not only for Dhanmondi. Tobacco companies are establishing point of sale anywhere and everywhere across the country. Due to easy availability of tobacco products, children studying in educational institutions located in these areas are becoming interested in tobacco use. To withstand the situation, BATA leaders urged for adopting compulsory provisions of licensing to sell tobacco products. Already, several municipalities including Meherpur, Jessore have taken initiative regarding the issue. Overall, It is necessary to adopt some initiative at national level in this regard.”

The demonstration program was presided by Helal Ahmed, Secretary General of Prottyasha Anti-Drug Organization, where Amir Hasan, President of Green Mind Society; Syeda Anonna Rahman, Program Manager of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust;  DM Saklayen, President of Janashartho Foundation; Sumon Sheikh, Tobacco Control Activist of Monobik; Kazi Hasibul Haque, Documentation Officer of AID Foundation ; Farzana Zaman Liza, Research Assistant of TCRC gave speech.  Shuvo Karmokar, Assistant Network Officer of WBB trust moderated the program.