The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Bank (BB) will give directives to the public and private banks of the country to control tobacco use according to the provision of Tobacco Control Act

Besides, the central bank will also take initiatives to provide alternative jobs through Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) for the poor labours engaging in this sector. BB Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said this while sharing opinions with the representatives of Tamak Birodhi Jote (Anti-Tobacco Alliance) recently.

He said tobacco is bad for health. "Considering this BB will help the government from its standpoint The private organisations should work together to control other aspects related to tobacco control", said Atiur Rahman.

Saifudin Ahmed, Convener of Tamak Birodhi Jote, Dr Akramul Islam. Technical Consultant of the Union, Dr Syed Mahfuzul Haque, Technical Officer of WHO and Dr Mahfuz Kabir, prominent economist, Abida Sultana Merry, Programme Officer, Unnayan Shammunay, Aminul Islam Sujan, Project Officer, Work for Beter Bangladesh (WBB) Trust were present

The representatives of the organisations handed over a memorandum to the BB governor. The memorandum includes- public and private banks could not finance any organisation for cultivating and harvesting tobacco or establishing tobacco industry.

The farmers who do not smoke should be given priority in case of sanctioning loan. The farmer who wants to leave tobacco farming should be given loan easily.

The public and private banks should use 'smoke free' sign and impose restriction on smoking inside of the offices as strictly.