A mobile court of the Dhaka District Administration has fined Meena Bazar Super Shop, located in the Shia Masjid area of Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Tk 300,000 for violating tobacco control laws by promoting tobacco products. The fine was imposed at around 2:00 pm today during a mobile court operation conducted by the Dhaka District Administration. The operation was led by Saifun Nahar, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of the Dhaka District Administration. Runa Akter, also an Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate, was present during the operation.

During the inspection, the mobile court found evidence of promotional activities for tobacco products at the Meena Bazar outlet. As the advertising and promotion of tobacco products constitute punishable offences under Bangladesh’s tobacco control law, the mobile court took immediate legal action against the establishment. The representative of the accused establishment, Farzana Akter Poppy (30), was informed about the relevant provisions of the law and was fined Tk 300,000. In the event of failure to pay the fine, she was ordered to serve seven days in jail.

Officials involved in the operation said that the same Meena Bazar Super Shop had previously been fined Tk 100,000 on February 26, 2019, for violating tobacco control laws. As a similar violation was detected despite the previous penalty, stricter action was taken against the establishment this time. Following the operation, Meena Bazar authorities were warned that any further violation of tobacco control laws would result in more stringent legal action and increased penalties.

Farzul Anwar, Sub-Inspector of Adabor Police Station, served as the prosecutor of the mobile court. Representatives of organizations working for tobacco control, including Development Activities of Society (DAS), WBB Trust, and the National Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh (NATAB), were also present during the operation.

The officials concerned said enforcement activities need to be strengthened further to stop the advertising, promotion, and unlawful marketing of tobacco products. They added that mobile court operations and monitoring activities would continue in different parts of the capital to protect public health and ensure a tobacco-free environment.