2024-03-15 07:40:28
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended an immediate ban on cigarette filters and vaporizers. In the WHO FCTC COP-10 meeting held from February 5 to 10 with the participation of 183 member countries, a landmark decision was taken in this regard for the greater implementation of Article 18 related to environmental protection. As a member of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) of the World Health Organization, Bangladesh has an obligation to implement this decision.
A delegation of research and advocacy organization Pragya (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (Atma) held a meeting with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Thursday (March 14) in this regard.
At this time, in the fourth conference of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) to be held in Canada from April 23 to 29 to prevent plastic pollution, Bangladesh will ban cigarette filters and vaporizers, classify cigarette filters as harmful plastic waste, and prevent the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) activities of tobacco companies. The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change expressed his conviction that he will play an effective role.
Cigarette filters and vaporizers are unnecessary, avoidable and harmful single-use plastics, which quickly spread into the environment and destroy microorganisms and marine life, and pollute the oceans, recommended by the World Health Organization for their immediate ban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set a target of making Bangladesh tobacco free by 2040. The Environment Minister expressed hope that this goal can be implemented with the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health.
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Focal Person (Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee on Plastic Pollution) Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, senior journalist Sukant Gupta Alok, convenor of Atma Maturja Haider Liton and co-conveners Nadira Kiran, Pragyar participated in the discussion with the Environment Minister. Executive Director ABM Zubair. Pragya’s Head of Programs presented the main presentation in the meeting. Hasan Shahriar.