President, PM call for waging campaign

With the theme 'Stop illicit trade of tobacco products', the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) will be observed in the country and elsewhere across the globe today (Sunday), reports BSS.
Every year, World Health Organization (WHO) and partners observe the day on May 31 highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the day.
An elaborate programme has been chalked out to observe the day across the country in a befitting manner.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called Saturday upon all to come forward to wage campaigns against tobacco across the country.
They made the call in separate messages issued on the eve of 'World No Tobacco Day' 2015.
The president and the prime minister wished success of all programmes marking the World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
The theme of the day this year is "Stop illicit trade of tobacco products."
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said consumption of tobacco is harmful to health. "Smoking affects not only the smokers, but also the non-smokers in an indirect way," he added.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the use of tobacco products is a serious threat to public health and economy of the country. The use of tobacco and tobacco products gradually pushes individuals, families and societies to ruination, she added.
She said consumption of tobacco increases risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other killer diseases. "Tobacco is one of the causes of death and loss of physical abilities," she pointed out.
The prime minister highlighted various measures taken by her government to create awareness and discourage smoking.