WNTD 2003
To celebrate WNTD 2003, BATA members conducted a series of events to push its demand for the rapid enactment of a comprehensive and strong tobacco control law in Bangladesh (passed in early 2005), and for ratification of the FCTC (which happened in spring 2004).
On 9 May, Adventure Association of Bangladesh held a rally with a banner draped over a coffin with the slogan: “Every 8 seconds someone dies from tobacco. How many more people need to die before we get a law?” The rally was covered in 19 newspapers and two national TV stations.
On 10 and 14 May, Hunger Project and Hunger-Free World held protests demanding a tobacco control law.
On 19 May, MANOBIK and Rotary Club jointly held a program, “Youth Involvement in Tobacco Control”, which received widespread newspaper coverage.
On 23 May, Alo Bhuban Gori held a protest demanding a tobacco control law, which was covered in 19 newspapers.
On 26 May, Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) held a press conference calling for a large increase in tobacco taxes. The demand received a good deal of extensive coverage in at least 15 newspapers.
Rally on 31 May: About 20 different organizations organized a march in Dhaka, bearing crosses from which hung shirts, to symbolize those who have died from tobacco. Pinned on the shirts were signs saying “Dead from tobacco”. The marchers carried a slogan saying (in Bengali), “No people, only the shirts are there; We make the demand, but the law is where?”
Seminar on 31 May: In the afternoon a seminar was organized by BATA, with speakers from the Health Minister, Health Secretary, Director-General of Health Services, Director-General of Family Planning, and various members of BATA. The WHO awarded the Health Minister a prize for his active role in tobacco control and for chairing the WHA during the approval of the FCTC.
On 6 June, MANOBIK held a press meeting to discuss the theme of this year’s WNTD, using a Powerpoint presentation to illustrate two main points: the influence of smoking in the movies on youth, and the fact that smoking in the movies is indeed a form of advertising.
Radio: In late May, two radio programs discussed tobacco; one on tobacco and the environment (the effects on air, land, water, and deforestation), and one on the need for tobacco control in general.
TV: The coordinator of Doctors Against Tobacco (a BATA-assisted new organization) organized a TV program on the national TV station (BTV) , featuring speakers emphasizing the need for tobacco control law, the FCTC, and other issues. The program also included the Health Minister, State Minister, other health experts, and popular artists.
