Focus on strict enforcement of tobacco control laws

RANGPUR, Mar 14 (BSS): Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram Sultana Pervin on Wednesday said strict enforcement of the amended Tobacco Control Act (TCA), Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act and other related laws has become imperative to save public health from tobacco catastrophe.

"Violation of the tobacco control laws through hanging advertisements of tobacco products, distribution of gifts by tobacco companies and selling of tobacco products to adolescents must be stopped for greater national interests," she said while presiding over an advocacy meeting.

District Tobacco Control Law Enforcement Task-force Committee (DTCLETC) organised the meeting at the conference room of the DC in the district town.

Association for Community Development (ACD) assisted in arranging the event participated by the DTCLETC and civil society members and professionals.

The chief guest directed the authorities concerned for strict enforcement of the tobacco control laws and conducting more mobile courts to stop violation of the laws in building a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040 as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Advocacy Officer of ACD Shariful Islam Shamim delivered keynote speech narrating the violation of tobacco control laws by tobacco companies, health hazards of smoking in public places and consumption of non-smoking tobacco products.