A human chain was held in Naogaon demanding a ban on the production, import, export, storage, sale, marketing, distribution and use of all new nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, vape, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products (HTP). The speakers called for amending the Tobacco Control Act to protect children, adolescents and the young generation from nicotine addiction and taking effective steps to prevent the spread of these products.

On Sunday (October 11) morning, on the occasion of National Tobacco-Free Day, a human chain was held in front of the National Model School in Ukilpara, Naogaon town, under the initiative of the Prajonmo Human Rights Development Center and in collaboration with Prajonmo Alo and Prajonmo Mela. This time, the theme was, ‘Ban e-cigarettes/vapes and nicotine products, protect children and youth.’

The event was chaired by Tahera Enayet Karim, Executive Director of Projonmo Human Rights Development Center and Rahman Skill Development Institute. The event was chaired by Md. Shahid Pramanik, Director of National Model School. The main discussant was social activist and educationist Principal Abdur Rahman Rizvi. Hafez Abdullah Almas bin Rahman Tanvir, Director of Projonmo Human Rights Development Center and Managing Editor of the weekly Projonmo Alor, also spoke.

Chief guest Md. Shahid Pramanik said, to protect children from smoking and nicotine addiction, effective control including banning the production and import of e-cigarettes, vape, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products must be ensured. The use of tobacco products is harmful to health and the economy. Everyone must play an aware and responsible role to keep future generations safe.

Chief negotiator Principal Abdur Rahman Rizvi said, “The proliferation of new types of nicotine products is a public health concern. Clear policy steps need to be taken to effectively control and ban these products, not just impose taxes.”

He also said that initiatives should be taken to give education officials the necessary legal powers to implement the provision banning the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions. It is necessary to discuss the harmful aspects of new nicotine products in the monthly coordination meetings at the district and upazila levels and include awareness topics about the health risks of these products in the curriculum from primary to higher levels.

Hafez Abdullah Almas bin Rahman Tanvir said, “To protect future generations from nicotine addiction, the production, import, export, storage, sale, marketing, distribution and use of new types of nicotine products must be banned. For this, it is important to take effective initiatives quickly while maintaining the continuity of the government’s previous anti-tobacco activities.”

In her speech as the president, Tahera Enayet Karim said, “Hospitals are under increasing pressure to treat various non-communicable diseases, including cancer. In this situation, preventive measures must be strengthened to protect the new generation from nicotine addiction. It is possible to prevent the spread of these products by increasing public awareness and effective enforcement of the law.”

Speakers at the human chain said that if the spread of new types of nicotine products alongside conventional tobacco products is not controlled, the risk of addiction among children, adolescents and young people may increase. To protect public health and protect future generations from the harmful effects of nicotine, immediate and effective measures must be taken, including banning these products.

At that time, businessmen Md. Shawkat Ali and Md. Selim Hossain, senior teachers of National Model School Manjur Elahi, Farhad Hossain, Nazrul Islam, Nur Islam, Abdul Hakim, Nayeem Islam, Abdul Quddus, and Abdullah, digital content editor of Jatiya Alo and Jatiya Mela, were present, along with people from different walks of life and professions.