Raise taxes on tobacco products : ADHUNIK

Speakers at a discussion in the city demanded on Friday that the government increase taxes on all kinds of tobacco products and declare it as an 'addictive drug' as soon as possible, reports UNB.
They also stressed the need for building awareness about the bad impacts of tobacco cultivation and consumption to gradually move towards a total ban on it.
ADHUNIK (We Prevent Smoking), the nation's first and leading anti-tobacco organisation founded by National Professor Dr Nurul Islam, and World Health Organization (WHO) jointly organised the programme on the eve of the World No Tobacco Day 2014 to be observed today (Saturday).
Presiding over the discussion, United News of Bangladesh chairman Amanullah Khan, who is also the president of ADHUNIK, said, "Tobacco is the most dangerous serial killer and the most preventable cause of death."
The theme of this year's World No Tobacco day is "Raise Taxes on Tobacco."
An elaborate programme has been chalked out to observe the day across the country in a befitting manner.
Besides, three eminent personalities would be awarded the 'World No Tobacco Day Award-2014'for their outstanding contribution to tobacco control activities.
Marking the day, different non-government organisations and socio-cultural bodies will also organise separate programmes.
Meanwhile, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  called upon all to come forward to wage a campaign against smoking and consumption of tobacco in other forms.
They made the call in separate messages issued on the occasion of the day.
The president and the prime minister wished success of all programmes marking the World No Tobacco Day.