The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Gaibandha

The speakers at a meeting stressed the need for immediate implementation of Tobacco Control Act-2005 and rules-2006 to protect the health for all.

"More tax should be imposed on 'bidi' and cigarette. So that the smokers can not buy it at cheap rate and if it is implemented the producers will also be discouraged and frustrated to produce tobacco products".

They said this at an opinion exchange meeting on the implementation of Tobacco Control Act-2005 organized by 'Abolambon Foundation' at the conference room of deputy commissioner here on Wednesday afternoon in cooperation with welcome for Better Bangladesh Trust.

With ADC (General) M. Abul Bayes Miah, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by consultant of chest diseases clinic Dr. SM Abdul Jalil, government pleader Alhaj Shafiqur Rahman, assistant commissioner AKM Galiv Khan, executive director of Uddyog M. Zillur Rahman Khandaker and M. Ataur Rahman Shahanur, executive director of Abolambon Foundation.

Citing the bad effects and negative impacts of smoking consultant Dr. SM Abdul Jalil said smoking has become a major cause of health hazard as cigarette contains innumerable harmful particles and it impedes the normal flow of blood and oxygen. Smoking may cause cancer, heart attack, blood pressure, chronic bronchitis and other diseases and similar harmful effects to a non-smoker who comes in touch with a smoker, he further said.

The speakers said Bangladesh govt. has enacted a law to ban tobacco smoking in public places but lack of awareness the law is flouted by the smokers even the law enforcing agencies are not aware of the law.

The tobacco farmers could be motivated seriously to cultivate other crops in place of tobacco in their land by creating awareness among them about the bad effects of tobacco, they said.

More than 70 people from all walks of life attended the meeting.