RANGPUR, Nov 01, 2018 (BSS) – Officials and experts at an advocacy meeting
here have stressed strict enforcement of the tobacco control laws for saving
public health from tobacco attributed catastrophes and health hazards.
They underscored the special need for strict enforcement of the Smoking
and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act and related policies to save
thousands of human lives from tobacco attributed deadly diseases across the
country.
They expressed the views at the meeting organised by District Tobacco
Control Laws Implementation Task Force Committee in the conference room of
deputy commissioner (DC) in the city on Wednesday afternoon.
Association for Community Development (ACD) extended assistance in
arranging the meeting under its Support for Institutionalisation of
Enforcement of Tobacco Control laws in Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions
programme.
Deputy Director (Local Government) for Rangpur Ruhul Amin Mian presided
over the meeting participated by members of the district task force
committee, government and NGO officials, anti-tobacco activists and civil
society members.
Principal of Rangpur Carmichael College Professor Dr Sheikh Md Anwar
Hossain, Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam, deputy director of the
Department of Agriculture Extension Dr Sarwarul Haque, deputy director of
Islamic Foundation Shamsul Haque, deputy director of the Department of Social
Services Abdur Razzaque, District Education Officer Roksana Begum, Senior
Health Education Officer Geeta Roy, among others, addressed.
Project coordinator of ACD Ehsanul Amin Emon delivered presentation on
‘Role of the task force committee and authorised officials in implementation
of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act and related
policies.’
He discussed information based on recent survey conducted by ACD in
different areas on slower enforcement pace and violation of the tobacco
control laws by different tobacco companies in the region.
The civil surgeon suggested further strengthening coordination and
activities of the district task force committee to ensure strict enforcement
of the laws concerned to reduce use of tobacco products for saving public
health and human lives.
The chief guest directed the authorities concerned for ensuring strict
enforcement of the tobacco control laws to reduce tobacco attributed diseases
and health hazards for saving many human lives.