Implementation of graphic health warnings in Bangladesh - current status and challenges

Background Graphic Health Warning (GHW) in 50% of all tobacco packets/packages has been implemented from 19 March 2016 following the tobacco control (TC) law that amendment in 2013 and rules notified in 2015. But, there are many small and large tobacco industries bypass and ignore the TC law in different ways. The study was conducted to identify and show the current GHW implementation and challenges in Bangladesh and the sample collection period of the study was January 2017 to April 2017. Methods Out of 64, survey was conducted in 25 Districts and both qualitative and quantitative techniques, semi structured questionnaire and observational methods used to conduct the study. GHWs in all types of tobacco products were observed. 3 retail shops and 3 wholesale shops selected from each district. A research team was developed and organized a workshop regarding tobacco control law and GHW implementation for effectiveness and quality of the study and Excel software was used to analyze the data. Results Total 5234 tobacco products was investigated, 1757 smoking tobacco (1497 Cigarette packets and 260 Bidi packets) and 3477 smokeless tobacco (3263 different packs of Jarda and 214 Gul). Study found that, 34% Bidi, 25% Jarda and 15% Gul in market without GHW. 64% bidi, 75% Jarda, 85% Gul provide GHWs, but among these, 50% bidi, 45% jarda and 30% gul doesn't follow law. It shows that, excluding cigarettes packets, bidi and smokeless tobacco vastly ignore about GHWs section of law. Absence of manufacturing date and different size/forms of smokeless tobacco and bidi packets, it is very difficult to measure GHWs implementation on all tobacco products. Conclusions Its necessary to ensure uniform packets for smokeless tobacco and bidi with date of manufacture and monitoring for effective implementation of GHW provisions in Bangladesh

Assess compliance to existing Tobacco Control Law among task force (TF) committee members across 10 districts in Bangladesh

Background Bangladesh is the first signatory countries of WHO FCTC. Bangladesh signed on 16 June 2003 and ratified on 14 June 2004. The government of Bangladesh has taken several initiatives to reduce tobacco use. Bangladesh government has enacted tobacco control law in 2005 and amended in 2013 along with notification of the revised rules in 2015. Methods Cross sectional study design, quantitative and qualitative approaches, purposive sampling method and semi-structured questionnaire and oral interview used to conduct the survey. The objectives of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Task Force (TF) regarding Tobacco Control (TC) Law. SPSS 21, Microsoft Excel used to analysis the data. Results 85 % staff know about TC law among the visited office and still now people smoke into the office area in 25 % offices. But 83 % office display No Smoking Signage. In terms of Task Force (TF) committee meeting, 67% TF members said that district TF meeting hold regularly. In terms of enforcement of tobacco control law, 85% respondents argue that mobile court conduct regularly but 57% said that they have lack of logistic support for conducting mobile court. Very interesting is that 59% TF members do not know about FCTC article 5.3, which is known as safeguard for tobacco control. Conclusions It can be said that a noticeable change have been seen on tobacco control issues. But tobacco companies are still trying to increase their sales among the young as potential customer by different illegal promotional campaign. So that awareness building programs should be conducted, logistic support should be delivered and social pressure should be created as people can be aware of their strategy and can able to protect it. So, government should take initiative immediately to implement the graphic health warning on all tobacco products to protect people as well as society