Strict enforcement of anti-tobacco laws stressed

FE Team | Published: June 19, 2022 21:57:26

RAJSHAHI, June 19 (BSS): Officials and health experts at a participatory discussion here on Sunday unequivocally called for strict enforcement of tobacco control laws for preventing health hazards caused by smoking in public.
Stringent enforcement of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act and related policies can be the best way of saving public health from various non-communicable diseases caused by both active and passive smoking.
They came up with the observation while addressing a training workshop for the district task force committee members and designated officers related to tobacco control law.
District administration organised the workshop at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) aimed at successful enforcement of the tobacco control law in the district through sensitizing the committee members and designated officials.
With DC Abdul Jalil in the chair, Deputy Director of Local Government Division Shahana Akhter Jahan, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Towhidul Arif, Additional Superintendent of Police Abu Saleh Ashraful Alam and Senior Jail Super Subrata Kumar Bala addressed the training as resource persons.
RMP Deputy Commissioner Abdur Raquib, Deputy Director of Department of Youth Development Golam Mahbub, Deputy Director of Department of Social Services Hasina Momtaz, Secretary of Rajshahi City Corporation Moshiur Rahman and District Education Officer Nasir Uddin also spoke.
Additional DC Kolyan Chowdhury moderated the discussion.
Discussants unanimously observed that community role is needed to build tobacco-free society, urging all to come forward and work together to attain the cherished goal.
Utmost emphasis should be given on strengthening and mainstreaming the sustainable implementation of Tobacco Control Law through implementation of LG guideline and support to increase tobacco tax. The meeting was told that the LG guideline is an effective initiative in terms of tobacco control towards successful implementation of Prime Minister's announcement of freeing the country from tobacco by 2040.
Imposing restrictions on smoking in public places and transports is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various non-communicable diseases caused by smoking. Use of tobacco items causes many non-communicable diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder.
The meeting also said all the shops who are selling tobacco products within 100 yards of the educational institutions must be removed.