Death Marketing-1

Tobacco companies continue to advertise on newspaper, defying law

Under the pretext of warning message, an advertisement of Shahi Special Jafrani Zarda is being published in one of the most circulated local newspaper of the divisional city of Barisal. Publishing such advertisement of tobacco products in media is unlawful and punishable offense since 2005. However, tobacco companies are resorting to clever tactics to promote their products. According to GATS 2017 report, the use of smokeless tobacco is widespread in Bangladesh causing a major concern and there has been a 47.9 percent surge between 2009 and 2017 in the number of people who have seen advertisement of smokeless tobacco products. Strong implementation and strengthened monitoring system can stop such violation of the law.