The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Satkhira

Speakers at a seminar have said smoking is one of the 'most common risk factors for various diseases' in the country and its economic impact also 'devastating'.

They said the smoking is responsible for about 80 percent of lung cancer and increasing especially among the youths.

They urged the older members of the families to give up smoking as the young generation consider them as a model to follow. They also called upon physicians, health workers and private clinic owners to quit smoking as common people consider them as a role model.

The seminar on "Declaration of smoke free private hospitals and clinics in Satkhira" organized by Nalta Hospital and Community Health Foundation and sponsored by World Health Organization (WHO) was held on Nalta Hospital premises in Kaliganj upazila on Saturday with superintendent of Nalta Hospital Abul Fazal Mohammad Bappi in the chair.

Additional deputy commissioner (general) Satkhira Mukesh Chandra Biswas was present as the chief guest in the seminar. It was addressed, among others, by Kaliganj upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) Jasim Uddin Khan, Debhata UNO Kalachand Sinha, Kaliganj Thana OC Fariduddin, Debhata Thana OC Shamsul haque, Senior vice- president of Satkhira Development Forum Dr Nazrul Islam, Kaliganj upazila health officer Dr Abdul Hannan, Nalta UP chairman Ansar Ali and principal Abu Musa.

They said the death toll from smoking is more than any other things like war, natural disaster, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

They urged the people to say 'no to smoke' and come forward to launch campaign against the harmful effects of tobacco creating awareness among the people.

They urged the government to take effective measures for strictly implementing the Tobacco Control Law in order to restricting tobacco uses and refraining from smokers in public places.

Over 125 private hospital and clinic owners who attended the seminar pledged and vowed to free their hospitals and clinics from smoking to set the district as a model in the country.

Hospital and clinic owners, lawyers, journalists, public representatives, NGO representatives, doctors and local elites were present in the seminar.