The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a workshop demanded of the government to impose punishment to those who violate tobacco law to make the public places and public transports 'tobacco free' that was also earlier declared by the government.

They also demanded for providing authority to all those who have been empowered to take action against those who will violate the Tobacco Products (Control) Law- 2005 to implement the law effectively.

WBB Trust (Work for a Better Bangladesh) organised the National Leadership Workshop on "Tobacco Control Law" at a local hotel.

Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Establishment SM Mahbubur Rahman, Executive Director of WBB Trust Saifuddin Ahmed, Manobik President Rafiqul Islam Milon spoke on the function while WBB Trust programme manager Syed Mahbubul Alam conducted it.

They said, "All tobacco products like Bidi, Cigarette, Hukka, Zarda, Gul and Sadapata should be included in the definition of tobacco products and sales of the products should be prohibited strongly in the public places and transports"

They alleged that the tobacco companies are continuing to give advertisement of tobacco products despite it is prohibited to do so. Licence of the companies should be cancelled for breaching the concerned laws, they added.

Representatives of 40 organisations from all over the country took part in the workshop.