ZCZC
BSS-26
BASELINE SURVEY-TOBACCO (with picture)
Social awareness to stop smoking at public places stressed
RANGPUR, March 11, 2020 (BSS) – Officials and experts at the baseline
survey report publication function cum views-exchange meeting here today said
raising massive awareness is imperative to stop smoking at public places.
They made the observation at the event organised by the Association for
Community Development (ACD) with the assistance of Campaign for Tobacco- Free
Kids (CTFK) at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner.
Deputy Commissioner Md. Asib Ahsan published the report as chief guest on
‘Baseline survey on implementation situation of the ‘Smoking and tobacco
products usage control (Amended) Act,’ which was conducted by ACD in Rangpur
city last year
The survey was conducted adopting the cross sectional method on random
basis at city’s 812 public places including 156 government offices, 108
health service outlets , 127 educational institutions and 421 hotels and
restaurants.
Presided over by Additional District Magistrate Md. Arafat Rahman, Civil
Surgeon Dr. Hirombo Kumar Roy and President of Rangpur unit of Bangladesh
Medical Association Dr. Delwar Hossain addressed the event as special guests.
Assistant District Education Officer Shahrina Dilruba, Assistant Director
of the Department of National Consumer Rights Protection for Rangpur Afsana
Pervin, President of Rangpur District Hotel-Restaurant Owners’ Association
Abdul Mazid Khokan, Chief Executive Officer of Rangpur Hypertension and
Research Centre Md. Anwar Hossain and Programme Officer of CTFK Ataur Rahman
Masud also spoke.
Advocacy Officer of ACD Shariful Islam Shameem presented findings of the
baseline survey report.
Quoting the survey report, Shamed said, “The tobacco control laws are
being violated at 96 percent government offices, 99 percent educational
institutions, 91 percent health service providing facilities and 96 percent
hotels and restaurants in Rangpur city.”
Expressing concern over the extent of violation of the tobacco control
laws at public places, the speakers urged the authorities concerned to take
stringent measures to ensure proper implementation of the laws in the city.
The chief guest said appropriate steps will be taken for strict
enforcement of tobacco control laws and related policies to stop selling of
tobacco products in and around educational institutions and stop smoking at
all public places .
BSS/MI/SKB/ 1750 hrs