Representational Image. -Freepik

 
DHAKA, April 15, 2025 (BSS) - A six-week long media campaign styled “Ban on Tobacco Advertisement, Promotion and Sponsorship (TAPS)” begins tomorrow to make people aware about the tobacco control law. 
The campaign video, produced with support from Vital Strategies, a leading global public health organization, will run on state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV, according to a press release issued here today. 

This campaign is being supplemented by social media platform ‘Stop Tobacco Bangladesh’ (STB) through various media such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram to reach younger audience. 
Tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship are banned by Tobacco Control Law. The video narrates how Tobacco Industry (TI) violates the provision of law cunningly to trap people especially the youths.

The TI employs all its alluring techniques to attract young people to tobacco products through placement of tempting and eye-catching advertisements at strategic points. 

The first scene takes place in a store, where cigarette packets are attractively displayed. A teenage boy, though in a shop with his mother, falls in to the trap of the TI as his attention is drawn to the cigarette packets, creating chances to spark an interest in cigarettes. 

Next, a tobacco industry representative approaches young people to promote cigarette smoking. This scene emphasizes how cigarette advertising and promotion attract young people. 

Later, in a tea shop, a cigarette advertisement is clearly displayed, which may attract even more young people. 

At one point, a teenager easily buys a cigarette from a roadside shop, proving that the availability and advertising of cigarettes in violation of the law can make young people addicted to smoking. 
Ultimately, all the scenes taken together highlight how cigarette advertising can influence young people's lifestyles. 

This campaign finally highlights the ban on tobacco advertising and promotion and sales to and by underage of 18 years. For tobacco advertising and promotion, the punishment is Taka one lakh and three months imprisonment or both. For selling tobacco products to underage children of 18-years old and below, the fine is Taka 5,000.

Md. Shafiqul Islam, Senior Consultant of Vital Strategies, doubled down on the consistent enforcement of the TC Law, the TAPS ban provisions in particular to protect the teenagers under 18 years from being tempted and addicted to tobacco products. 

He reiterated that tobacco control law banned all direct and indirect tobacco advertisement and promotion including on print or electronic media, books, leaflet, handbill, poster, billboard, signboard, theater hall and webpage. 

No tobacco products can be demonstrated or distributed as sample, free or at a reduced price. Donation, awards, scholarships or sponsoring any event by the tobacco industry is prohibited. 

Scenes with tobacco use are banned in films, dramas or documentaries on TV, radio, internet, stage or any other media. Moreover, tobacco product display at the point of sales is also banned.

Aminul Islam Sujon, Technical Adviser, Vital Strategies said that tobacco control law banned selling tobacco products to any minor under 18 years old.

There are lacks in awareness among people of these sections of the law. Besides, the tobacco industries are violating the law and doing tobacco advertisements as well as promotions through internet which is a punishable offence. 

He added that the government should implement the tobacco control law to protect teens and youthfolks from tobacco addiction. At the same time, the tobacco control law should be amended to make this stronger aligned with the WHO FCTC.