Investigations have found that the Tobacco Product Usage (Control) (Amended) Act 2013 is being extremely violated in different districts of Rajshahi division including Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, reads a report on one of the regional dailies – Daily Sonar Desh on November 06, 2014 by A K Tota, a regional ATMA member.
Smoking goes random in offices, bus stands, railway stations, food shops, buses and other public vehicles which is causing troubles for the women, children and the non-smokers present there, reads the report. Anti-tobacco activists alleged that actions are not taken for TC law violation, and thereby, the number of smokers has increased and they are smoking at public spots.
Moreover, posters have flooded some certain parts of the district declaring different attractive prizes for tobacco use. They are offering different necessary household items in condition of using certain brands of bidis. Besides, retail tobacco sellers display empty tobacco packets on their stores in exchange of a monthly installment of BDT 1000 which is provided by the companies they promote for. The amended tobacco control act should be implemented soon to stop the tobacco advertisements and anti-tobacco awareness should also be raised.