A 100% smoke-free environment is essential for the expansion of the tourism sector. The Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) and the Dhaka Ahsania Mission have expressed the view that the law needs to be amended for this. The opinion was expressed at a virtual meeting on March 13 titled 'Role of Media in Building Tobacco Free Bangladesh 2040'. Md. Shariful Islam, Coordinator, Tobacco Control Project, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, presented the keynote paper address under the chairmanship of ATJFB President and ATN Bangla News Editor Nadira Kiran.

Lead Policy Advisor of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Bangladesh Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Grants Manager Abdus Salam Mia, Communications Officer Sarkar Shams Bin Sharif, Assistant Director of Health Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, General Secretary of ATJFB Tanzim Anwar addressed the meeting as guests. The program was conducted by Rezaur Rahman Rizvi, Media Manager, Tobacco Control Project, Dhaka Ahsania Mission.

Md. Shariful Islam, coordinator of the Dhaka Ahsania Mission said, there are laws in 63 countries around the world, including Canada, Spain and Nepal, banning smoking in public places. However, according to the law of our country, smoking area in public place, four-walled one-room restaurant, multi-room public transport (train, launch) and non-mechanical public transport can be used for smoking. However, Section 7 of the Tobacco Control Act should be amended to prohibit smoking in all types of public places and to ban the use of any type of tobacco, including smoking.

Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Lead Policy Advisor of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Bangladesh said that non-smokers have the right to protect themselves from the dangers of secondhand smoke. But the number of victims of indirect smoking is higher. Since the smoke caused by smoking cannot be controlled. That is why smoking in all public places should be prohibited. In this case, the media can convey this message to the government on a regular basis.

Nadira Kiran, President of ATJFB and News Editor of ATN Bangla said that a tourism friendly environment is essential for the development of the tourism sector. Therefore, only the media workers can draw the attention of all concerned including the government with their sharp writing.

The members of ATJFB who participated in the meeting in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids were Altab Hossain (Jai Jai Din), Sohail Hossain (The Daily Sun), Khalid Ahsan (BTV), Ashiq Hossain (Boishakhi TV), Masud Rumee ( Kaler Kantho), Rashidul Hasan (The Daily Star), Julhas Kabir (RTV), Touhidul Islam (Amader Somoy), Atiqur Rahman (NTV) and Manjurul Islam (Banik Barta).

It is to be noted that some of the loopholes in the existing law are the major barrier on tobacco control. Imports and sales controls or bans are not included, illustrated health warnings fail to play an effective role in not determining the packaging size of all tobacco products, and tobacco companies' 'social responsibility programs' or CSR activities are not banned.