No to tobacco means yes to life

It is indeed alarming to see that despite anti-smoking campaign the number of smokers is not decreasing in our country; rather it is steadily increasing. It is worrisome. When I go outside I see young people who are yet to step into adulthood are smoking cigarettes indifferently. Once I asked a teenager why he smokes. In his reply he said that everyone smokes and it makes him feel like an adult. I was stunned by his reply. He was clearly aware about the bad effects of tobacco on his health, but despite that he was nonchalant.  Many of the young people start smoking as a fashion and they feel if they do not smoke they would look un-smart in their group. Parents should discuss bad effect of smoking with their children and they should live a healthy life with regular workout so that their children are encouraged to incorporate such healthy lifestyle. According to the World Health Organization report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, nearly two-thirds of the world's smokers live in 10 countries including Bangladesh. We must change the present scenario if we want to build a healthy nation. Smoking is very injurious to our health and it is a complete waste of money. Let us live a tobacco free healthy life.

Mohammed Sohel Hara

Shahjadpur, Dhaka