The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Health journalists at a seminar on Saturday said that small amount of fine for smoking at public places has failed to discourage people to smoke openly across the country.

"Just a fine of Taka 50 is not enough to reduce the number of smokers in the country," said a journalist at the function held at the Work for Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust office in Dhanmondi here.

WBB organised the seminar to review the role of media in implementation of the Tobacco Control Act, a landmark law that has legally prohibited smoking at public places and advertisements of cigarettes and tobacco products in any form in media.

"Despite the law, local companies have been showing no respect to it," alleged Rafiqul Islam Milon of Manobik.

He said the government should amend the law with strict measures to control tobacco uses and the audacity of tobacco companies.

Prosoon Ashish of the Jai Jai Din said the people of all walks of life were not clear about the definition of 'public places' and this confusion often lead them to disobey the law.

He suggested developing a communication strategy, which would convey messages easily and effectively.

The journalists came up with a number of suggestions that include sensitization of senior media managers, filing stories from field level, developing a catchy advertisement to discourage smoking, involving of local government body leaders and targeted approach to deter new smokers.

Ayub Bhuiyan of Bhorer Kagoj, Mahmuda Akhter of Dinkal, Saiful Islam Shameem of BSS and Syed Mahabubul Alam of WBB Trust, spoke on the occasion, among others.