Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing has been bestowed with the esteemed ‘National Award for Tobacco Control 2023’ by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a testament to the forum’s invaluable and commendable contributions towards the advancement of the tobacco control program in Bangladesh. 

On Sunday (June 11, 2023) morning during a national program held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium to commemorate ‘World No Tobacco Day,’ the honorableMinister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Zahid Malek MPpresented the crest and certificate to the Chairman of the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum, Prof. Dr. Md. Habibe Millat MP. 

Honorable Health Minister, Mr. Zahid Malek MP, praised the country’s progress under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, while acknowledging the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and respiratory ailments. He expressed his congratulations to the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing for their national award in tobacco control. The Minister further announced that an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act would be presented in Parliament soon, with the goal of achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040, as proclaimed by the Prime Minister.

Prof. Dr. Md. Habibe Millat MP expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the recognition and emphasized the vital role played by the honorable members of parliament and the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum in tobacco control efforts. He extended his appreciation to the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been instrumental in guiding the nation towards a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040. Prof. Millat also acknowledged the sincere support of the Honorable Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in this anti-tobacco movement. Prof. Dr. Millat highlighted the Prime Minister’s emphasis on utilizing all available land for food production rather than cultivating tobacco, aligning with the vision of a healthier and prosperous nation.

Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader, Secretary of the Health Services Division in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, expressed his gratitude towards the Honorable Prime Minister for her commitment to establishing a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040. He acknowledged that this announcement would greatly facilitate their efforts in achieving this goal and mentioned the upcoming amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, which will be presented in Parliament. Dr. Howlader also praised the leadership of Professor Dr. Md. Habibe Millat MP, Chairman of the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum, highlighting the exceptional contributions made by the forum in advancing tobacco control. He sincerely extended his thanks to the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing.

Begum Shireen Ahmed MP was present at the awardceremony. Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director andProf. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Director of Shastho Shurokkha Foundation, which is the secretariat of Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing was present at the  event. Representatives of government, private and international organizations were also present.

The Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum has made important contributions to public health at national and international levels. Ongoing efforts include amendments to the Smoking and Tobacco Control Act, resulting in increased tobacco taxes and prices, reducing youth tobacco use. Additionally, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has extended funding to Bangladesh’s national immunization program until 2030. These accomplishments highlight the Forum’s impactful role in improving public health.