Anti-tobacco campaigners in Bangladesh on Thursday protested against the use of Rabindranath Tagore's image in an advertisement by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) to promote its brand.
The protesters demanded government action against the company at a human chain organised by different anti-tobacco organisations at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
They claimed that an advertisement of a programme hosted by singer Tahsan Khan was released based on Tagore's Journey to Japan.
Their four-point demands include stopping all JTI campaign, removing all advertisement, posters, banners and leaflets within seven days, file case against JTI employees, and strict monitoring of tobacco law violation.
"JTI must be punished for violating the tobacco law," said Md Nasir Uddin, country manager in Bangladesh of Vital Strategies.
He also criticised Tahsan for being brand ambassador of JTI.
Anti-tobacco activists said the company used JTI logo with a slogan 'Japanese Quality' on T-shirts in the advertisement.
Tamak Birodhi Nari Jote Coordinator Syeda Akter said that JTI violated Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005.
Demanding stern action against the company she said tobacco is an obstacle to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Khalid Hossain of Anti-tobacco alliance Jote-71 said that they will observe World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
He urged Bangladesh to take action against the company immediately.
Hamidul Islam Hillol, Project Manager of Bureau of Economic Research, Dhaka University said the company must be banned in Bangladesh immediately.
JTI is one of the five largest tobacco companies in the world. It bought Akij Group's tobacco business for $1.47 billion in 2018, reports UNB.
