ZCZC
BSS-03
MEETING-TOBACCO-CONTROL (with picture)
Collective efforts to enforcement of Tobacco Control Act stressed
RAJSHAHI, Feb 10, 2020 (BSS) – Collective efforts of all government and
non-government entities concerned has become crucial for successful
enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act-2013 in public places.
Forging a social movement has also become an urgent need for freeing the
public places from using of tobacco products to protect the public health
from various non-communicable diseases caused by using tobacco products.
The observations came at a view-sharing meeting styled “Implementation
of Tobacco Control Act in Public Places” held at the conference hall of
Deputy Commissioner’s office here today.
Association for Community Development (ACD), a rights-based non-
government development organization, and District Administration jointly
hosted the meeting to mark the unfolding of a survey report related to
‘advertisement, publicity and incentives of tobacco products in Rajshahi city
area. Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids (CTFK) supported the meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Hamidul Haque and its Additional Deputy Commissioner
(General) Shariful Haque addressed the meeting as chief and special guests
respectively while ACD Executive Director Salima Sarwar welcomed the
participants with Additional District Magistrate Abu Aslam in the chair.
Secretary of Rajshahi City Corporation Abu Hayat Rahmatullah, Additional
Director of the Department of Narcotics Control Zafrullah Kazal, District
Education Officer Nasir Uddin and CTFK Programme Officer Ataur Rahman Masud
also spoke.
ACD Advocacy Officer Shariful Islam Shamim presented the survey report
saying gross violation of the Tobacco Control Act in the public places posing
a serious threat to the public health.
Narrating various demerits of smoking and use of other smokeless tobacco
products he said imposing restrictions on smoking in public places is very
important for protecting public health from various chronic diseases caused
by smoking.
Shamim alleged that some of the tobacco companies are expanding their
market through promotional activities.
In his remarks, Deputy Commissioner Hamidul Haque said Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina has declared that the country would be freed from tobacco use
by 2040. He added that all sorts of necessary measures would be taken to make
the premier’s announcement a total success in the district.
He urged the executive magistrates to conduct mobile courts for
effective implementation of the existing tobacco control law.
BSS/AH/MR/FI/ 1320 hrs