On World No Tobacco Day

The world observes "no tobacco day" every year on 31st May and the day is also celebrated in our country with earnest. I was glad to know that the government is going to issue orders for the tobacco companies to put pictorial health warnings on the cigarette packets. Many of our people are unlettered and warning by pictorial presentation will be easier for them to understand the dangers of smoking. It will give them a vivid idea about the deadly effects of tobacco on human health and discourage them against smoking tobacco. Many tobacco companies allure the consumers by various means of sales promotion.
 We understand, the government is planning to prohibit selling of loose cigarettes and I think it could be of some help in reducing the consumption of tobacco. In school textbooks a chapter on the dangers of tobacco should be included so that the students can get to know about the bad effects of the tobacco on their health. Usually the smokers start their smoking form very young age. When we use tobacco we not only endanger our health but also affect health of others around us including our near and dear ones. It is sad to see the poor people wasting their hard earned money on smoking instead of buying healthy foods or spending on their children's education. We should remember that every year tobacco kills six million people worldwide and it is a prime cause of premature death. It is high time we woke up and discarded tobacco from our life and lived a happy and healthy life.

Mohammed Sohel Hara
Bonoshree, Dhaka
sohelhara@hotmail.com