Petition seeks HC directives to bar photos of smoking, use of tobacco products in visual media

Four rights organisations today filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive on the government for steps to stop the display of any photographs of smoking and the use of tobacco products in films and dramas in line with the relevant provisions of law.

Bangladesh Cancer Society, Prottasha, Population Development Organisation and Gram Bangla Unnayan Sangathan together submitted the petition as a public interest litigation and appealed to the court to direct the government to amend the Smoking and Tobacco Products Control Act, 2005, so that anybody can file a case for its violation.

Petitioner's counsel Moniruzzaman Lincon told The Daily Star that currently, only authorised officers concerned can file a case in this regard.

There are some restrictions over smoking and use of tobacco products under the law, but those restrictions are not properly followed, he said, adding that there are many instances of photographs of smoking being displayed and tobacco products being used in different films and dramas without issuing any caution. 

"No person shall use advertisements of tobacco products in cinema halls, radio stations and television channels," the lawyer said citing a provision of the law.