Concerted effort a must to check tobacco use

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RAJSHAHI, Jan 23, 2019 (BSS) – Anti-tobacco media campaigners here
stressed up on a collective effort to expedite anti-tobacco campaign and
check tobacco use.

Utmost emphasis should be given on highlighting health and other risks
associated with tobacco use apart from advocating for effective policy to cut
tobacco consumption.

They came up with the observation while addressing the regional meeting
of Anti Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) in the conference room of Association
for Community Development (ACD) in the city Tuesday.

With ATMA member Shafique Chhoton in the chair, journalists Paritosh
Chowdhury Adittya, Sharif Suman, Ziaul Haque, Bulbul Habib, Alamgir Kabir,
Dulal Abdullah and Sohel Mahbub spoke on the occasion.

ACD Programme Manager Ali Hossain, Media Manager Amzad Hossain and
Programme Officers Krishna Rani and Tuhin Islam also spoke on the occasion.
Advocacy Officer Shariful Islam Shamim presented a concept paper on the issue
and moderated the discussion.

Shariful Islam highlighted the risks of tobacco on health and called for
taking effective policies to cut tobacco use in the country.

He urged all to take comprehensive measures to raise voice against
tobacco use to build a tobacco-free society.

Citing latest survey on tobacco uses Sharif Shamim said around one lakh
people are embracing death annually from tobacco-related diseases in
Bangladesh.

“Over 4.13 crore people have been consuming smoking and smokeless
tobacco products for lower price in Bangladesh and consumers of smokeless
tobacco products is much higher among women than men,” Shamim said citing
another survey report.

Taking part in the open discussion the media people expressed their
grave concern over gross violation of tobacco control law and urged the
authorities concerned to take punitive measures to resist the violation.