Community role to build tobacco-free Rajshahi city stressed

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RAJSHAHI, Nov 7, 2018 (BSS) – Public representatives and health experts at an advocacy meeting here observed that community role is of essence to build tobacco-free Rajshahi city, urging all to come forward and work together to attain the cherished goal.

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and Association for Community Development (ACD), a right-based non-government entity, jointly organized the meeting at city bhaban conference hall yesterday in association with Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids (CTFK) and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

‘Tobacco Free Rajshahi City” was the main theme of the meeting.

Panel Mayor of RCC Shariful Islam Babu addressed the meeting as the chief guest while two other panel mayors Rajab Ali and Tahera Begum addressed as special guests with RCC Chief Executive Officer Shah Momin in the chair.

RCC Ward councilors Nazrul Islam, Kamal Hossain, Umme Salma and Laily Begum, Secretary Rejaul Islam and Chief Health Officer Dr Anjuman Ara Begum and ACD Programme Officer Krishna Biswash also spoke.

ACD Project Coordinator Ehsanul Amin told the meeting that around 57,000 people die and nearly 12 lakh people become disabled every year in the country due to tobacco-related diseases.

He expressed concern that tobacco companies are expanding their market promotional activities in the name of corporate social responsibilities, which must be resisted.

Shariful Islam called for a proper enforcement of the revised tobacco control law to free the public health from various non-contagious diseases caused by tobacco using.

He said frequent and indiscriminate smoking in public places affects the non-smokers more than that of the direct smokers.

He urged the attending RCC Ward Councilors to supplement the process of proper enforcement of the tobacco control law.

Dr Begum said forging a social movement has become an urgent need for ensuring hundred percent smoke-free public places.