BSS-28 Nilphamari declared as tobacco advertisement-free town

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ZCZC

BSS-28

TOBACCO-ADVERTIZEMENT-FREE-TOWN

Nilphamari declared as tobacco advertisement-free town

NILPHAMARI, May 31, 2019 (BSS) – District administration has announced
Nilphamari town as tobacco advisement-free town.

Alongside launching mass awareness programme, the local administration has
strictly enforced the existing laws for stooping advertisement on tobacco and
tobacco products in the district town.

Deputy Commissioner Nazia Shirin said, “We are working to stop any kinds
of advertisements on tobacco as per the existing laws. We have made
Nilphamari as tobaco-free town through creating awareness and enforcing
laws.”

Executive magistrate of mobile court Mahbub Hasan said a total of 133
cases were filed against tobacco related advertisement during past three
months and the government has amended the Smoking and Using of Tobacco
Products (control) Act, 2005 by incorporating strong provisions removing
loopholes that were in the law.

As per the tobacco law, all forms of tobacco advertising, promotional
activities and sponsorship by tobacco companies have been banned.

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) was observed today in the country as elsewhere
in the world highlighting the health and additional risks associated with
tobacco uses and advocating for effective policies to stop tobacco
consumption.

This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day is “Tobacco and Lung Health”.

According to a study in 2004 conducted by WHO, each year tobacco kills six
million people worldwide and the death toll is likely to reach eight million
a year if the current trend continues.

In Bangladesh, at least 57 thousand people die each year from eight tobacco
related diseases. The rate of tobacco use in Bangladesh is one of the highest
in the world. More than 43 percent of the adult population use tobacco in any
form.

The anti-tobacco campaigners called upon the government to enforce the
anti-tobacco law strictly to stop all forms of promotional campaign on
tobacco and tobacco products aiming to protect the people from its harmful
effects.

BSS/CORR/MMR/FI/ 1925 hrs