NGO News Archives - Page 4 of 18

Dec172025 by No Comments

Call to End Smoking Scenes in Dramas

Despite being prohibited by law, smoking scenes continue to appear prominently in Bangladeshi dramas. In some productions, a 40-minute drama contains more than 80 smoking scenes, representing both a blatant violation of country law and a serious distortion of cultural values in entertainment media. Directors, producers, and artists, whether intentionally or not, are leading adolescents and young viewers toward smoking, which is alarming for families, society, and the nation. On 17 December (Wednesday), the Madok Drabo O Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS) issued a press release calling for the stop of smoking depictions in dramas and the strict enforcement of the Tobacco Control Law. The release highlighted that although showing smoking in dramas is prohibited by law, violations continue unab...

Dec152025 by No Comments

Interference in the Amendment Process of the Tobacco Control Law

Breaking News, NGO News

Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA) strongly believes that any direct or indirect interference by tobacco companies in the process of amending the Tobacco Control Law is unacceptable. In a press release sent to the media on Monday (15 December), BTCA stated that a recent joint statement issued by several multinational tobacco companies clearly proves their attempt to influence laws formulated to protect public health, an action that is wholly unacceptable. BTCA further emphasized that tobacco companies can never be considered stakeholders in tobacco control legislation, as the commercial interests of the tobacco industry are fundamentally and irreconcilably opposed to public health interests. As a State Party to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Con...

Dec142025 by No Comments

Tobacco industry alarmed at Government’s reluctance to allow stakeholder-inclusive consultation regarding Tobacco Control Act Amendment

Breaking News, NGO News

Companies in the tobacco industry today issued a joint statement, expressing their serious concerns over the Government’s attempt to pass the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Act without a stakeholder-inclusive consultation in the absence of appropriate Parliamentary process. Industry players believe that the proposed amendment will result in far-reaching, negative consequences on the country’s economy, investment climate, risk to consumer product quality, and, most importantly, the livelihood of the associated communities. In a unified statement, the industry leaders, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), Philip Morris Bangladesh, and JT International Bangladesh, said: “While we fully support the Government’s commitment to public health, we believe that the certain measur...

Dec132025 by No Comments

Environment Department Declares 100% Smoke-Free Offices

Breaking News, NGO News

To protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, the Department of Environment and all its subordinate offices have been declared 100% smoke-free. From now on, all activities of the department will be conducted by following the national guidelines on tobacco control and maintaining a smoke-free environment. On Wednesday (10 December), at a joint event organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission and the Department of Environment at the DoE office in the capital, The Director General of the department, Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, NDC, made the announcement as the chief guest of the program titled “Declaration of All Offices of the Department of Environment as 100% Smoke-Free.” He stated, “To protect officers, employees, and visitors at the Department of Environment from the harmful...

Dec122025 by No Comments

Demand for the Immediate Passage of the Proposed Amendment to the Tobacco Control Law

Breaking News, NGO News

The DORP Youth Forum has called for the swift passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law formulated by the Ministry of Health, emphasizing that this amendment is essential to protect public health. They stated that urgent action is needed to save the next generation from the devastating grip of tobacco. On Thursday (11 December 2025) morning, during a human chain organized by the DORP Youth Forum in Mirpur-10, Dhaka, the youth participants reiterated their demand for the immediate adoption of the amendment. Addressing the Honorable Chief Adviser, the youth advocates urged that the draft amendment should be given top priority and approved without further delay. Citing data from the Tobacco Atlas 2025, they noted that tobacco-related diseases claim approximately 130,000 li...

Nov302025 by No Comments

Stronger Anti-Smoking Messaging Needed in Films to Protect Youth- Say Experts

Breaking News, NGO News

Speakers at a discussion event have urged filmmakers and producers to take a more active role in strengthening anti-smoking messaging in films and ensuring the proper implementation of the Tobacco Control Law and related regulations. The call was made at a discussion titled “Roles of Directors and Producers in Implementing the Tobacco Control Law in Films”, held on Saturday, 29 November at the BFDC Seminar Hall. The event was jointly organized by Madok Drabo O Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS) and the Bangladesh Film Directors’ Association. The discussion was presided over by Prof. Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury, Founder President of MANAS. S. M. Abdur Rahman, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board, attended as the Chief Guest. Shahin Sumon, President of the Bangladesh Film Direc...

Nov302025 by No Comments

Ahsanullah’s philosophy of Global Fraternity is essential for establishing social unity and humanity

Breaking News, NGO News

To establish social harmony and humanity, it is essential to practice the philosophy of universal brotherhood espoused by the eminent educator and education reformer of the subcontinent, Hazrat Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah (R.). Speakers made these remarks on Saturday (29 November) afternoon at an international seminar titled “Global Fraternity” held at the auditorium of the Dhaka Ahsania Mission’s headquarters in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The seminar focused on Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah’s (R.) vision of universal brotherhood. Presided over by Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, the seminar was attended by Professor Dr. Kazi Din Mohammad Khasru, Vice-Chancellor of Prime University, as the chief guest. He stated that today’s seminar centers on the life and philosophy of Khan...

Nov292025 by No Comments

Culture of impunity fuels violence; urgent accountability needed: speakers at the opening of the 16 Days of Activism

Breaking News, NGO News

ActionAid Bangladesh has launched the 16-days of Activism campaign to end gender-based violence, calling for a safe city for women and girls. As part of the global observance, a day-long programme was organised today, Wednesday, at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka under the theme "Safe City, Fearless Women". The programme opened with a live outdoor performance and installation series titled "Stories of Courage" in the open courtyard of Shilpakala Academy. The exhibition highlighted women’s stories of courage and resilience. This was followed by a powerful indoor theatrical production titled "Echoes of Her Life" at the Chitrashala Auditorium. The play depicted the real-life experiences of harassment and insecurity faced by women in public transport, public spaces and service in...

Nov92025 by No Comments

Ziaur Rahman Hall of Dhaka University Declared Smoke-Free

Breaking News, NGO News

Dhaka University’s Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall has officially been declared a smoke-free premises, marking a significant step toward promoting a healthier campus environment. The declaration came following a collective initiative led by the hall’s students, who submitted a petition urging the administration to ban smoking within the hall. Acting on the students’ demand, the hall administration formally announced the hall as a “Smoke-Free Premises” and introduced punitive measures for smoking within the hall boundaries. Signboards have been installed at the main entrance to reinforce the new policy. Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing played a crucial role behind the awareness movement. Over recent months, the youth volunteers organized room-to-room awareness campaigns,...

Nov62025 by No Comments

Smokers Declared Ineligible for Assistant Teacher Recruitment; National Heart Foundation Hails Move as ‘Historic Step’ for Public Health

Breaking News, NGO News

The Department of Primary Education has announced that candidates who smoke or consume addictive substances will be ineligible for recruitment as assistant teachers in government primary schools. The new eligibility condition was formalized in a notification signed by the Director General on Wednesday. The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) has welcomed this decision as a landmark measure for public health. NHFB President, Professor Dr. Khandakar Abdul Awal Rizvi, said:"Declaring candidates who smoke or consume addictive substances ineligible for teaching positions is a historic milestone. Smoking drives adolescents toward nicotine addiction, impairs brain development, and has serious long-term physical and mental health consequences. This is a far-sighted and courageous step ...