RAJSHAHI, Oct 15, 2018 (BSS)- Experts and development activists here
called for enforcement of the amended tobacco control law to free the public
health from various non-contagious diseases caused by tobacco uses.
They viewed gross violation of the prevailing Tobacco Control Act
continues in restricted areas including public places threatening public
health. Frequent and indiscriminate smoking in public places and transports
are affecting the non-smokers more than that of the direct smokers.
They mentioned that the role of health and sanitary inspectors is very
important towards supplementing the efforts of successful enforcement of the
law.
The observation came at an advocacy meeting titled “Sustainable
Enforcement of Tobacco Control Law” held here yesterday.
Association for Community Development (ACD), a rights-based non-
government entity, organised the meeting in order to create awareness among
district and upazila level sanitary inspectors on the issue.
Discussants stressed on lodging regular cases with police station and
mobile courts’ drive frequently.
Chief Health Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Dr AFM Anzuman
Ara Begum addressed the meeting as chief guest with ACD Executive Director
Salima Sarwar in the chair.
District Sanitary Inspector Shah Alam, RCC Sanitary Inspectors Atiqul
Islam, Upazila Health Inspectors Abdul Hannan and Abdus Salam, ACD Advocacy
Officer Shariful Islam and Programme Officer Krishna Biswash also spoke.
In his concept paper presentation, Enhasul Amin Emon, program coordinator
of ACD, narrated various demerits of smocking and uses of other smokeless
tobacco products.
He said imposing restriction on smoking in public places and transports
is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various chronic
diseases caused by smoking.
He said forging a social movement has become an urgent need for ensuring
hundred per cent smoke-free public places and transports for freeing millions
of passive smoking from various harmful effects.
Dr AFM Anzuman Ara said the uses of tobacco items cause many non-
communicable diseases like cancers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes,
tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder.
She said some tobacco companies are expanding their market through
promotional activities in the name of corporate social responsibilities,
which must be resisted.
Dr Begum viewed the government has amended the law to make it more
stringent because of growing tobacco use in the country. The law also bans
the selling of cigarettes to those below 18.