Advancing Tobacco Control Policy with evidence: Findings from the 2024 Tobacco Control Research Grant Program
The Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Tobacco Control Research Network (BTCRN) and the Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Baltimore, USA, has been implementing the Tobacco Control Policy Research Grant Program since 2013. As part of this program, BCCP organized the Research Findings Dissemination Conference 2025 on Wednesday, February 27, 2025, at the CIRDAP International Conference Center in Dhaka. The conference presented the findings of the eight studies conducted under the Tobacco Control Policy Research Grant Program 2024, along with some selected in-country studies, as part of the move to create advocacy and community mobilization.
Among these, one experimental study conducted across Dhaka city assessed the impact of plain cigarette packaging and health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette sticks in discouraging smoking initiation and promoting cessation. Findings revealed that plain packaging significantly increased attention to health warnings and understanding of smoking-related risks. Participants exposed to plain packaging reported higher intentions to quit smoking, while non-smokers showed reduced inclination to start. Additionally, cigarette sticks with HWLs and unattractive colors further amplified these deterrent effects, particularly among low-nicotine-dependent smokers. These findings support the adoption of plain packaging and HWLs as effective national tobacco control policies, and implementing these measures can significantly contribute to reducing smoking rates and associated health risks.
Another critical study examined the factors influencing farmers’ decisions to transition away from tobacco cultivation, comparing the economic, physical, and health impacts on farmers who abandoned tobacco versus those who adopted it. Key findings indicate that 75% of tobacco farmers transitioned to non-tobacco farming within ten years, citing labor intensity, health risks, and declining soil fertility as primary reasons. Conversely, 32% of non-tobacco farmers shifted to tobacco due to higher profit margins, advance payments from companies, and assured marketability. The study also highlighted significant health disparities being experienced by tobacco and non-tobacco farmers. Other studies addressed tobacco industry interference, street vendor impacts, 5A-5R counseling effectiveness, compliance of tobacco control law in hospitals, and e-cigarettes.
Sheikh Momena Moni, Additional Secretary (WH Wing), Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, graced the occasion as the chief guest during the opening session. While Mr. Md. Akhteruzzaman, Director General (Joint Secretary), National Tobacco Control Cell was present in the closing session as the chief guest. The opening program was chaired by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shorif Uddin, Vice Chancellor, Green University.
The conference also welcomed other distinguished guests of honor, including Prof. Nurul Hooda Lenin, Director, BMRC, Dr Jun Nakagawa, Technical Officer–Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, WHO Bangladesh; Dr. Sejal Saraf, Consultant- South Asia, IGTC; Bloomberg Initiative Partner Representatives; and Mr. Mohammad Shahjahan, Director and CEO, BCCP. Around 250 participants from relevant Government ministries and departments, universities, BI partners and grantees and some reputed journalists and reporters from the media agencies attended the event.