RAJSHAHI, Sept 18, 2018 (BSS)- Experts at a participatory discussion here
unanimously called for a proper enforcement of the amended tobacco control
law to free the public health from various non-contagious diseases caused by
tobacco uses.
They viewed gross violation of the prevailing Tobacco Control Act
continues in restricted areas including public places threatening public
health almost everywhere.
Frequent and indiscriminate smoking in public places and transports affect
the non-smokers more than that of the direct smokers.
The observation came at an advocacy meeting titled “Enforcement of Smoking
and Tobacco Control Law” held in the conference hall of Civil Surgeon Office
on Monday.
Association for Community Development (ACD), a rights-based non-government
entity, organized the meeting in order to create awareness among district and
upazila level sanitary inspectors on the issue.
Civil Surgeon Dr Sanjit Kumar Saha addressed the meeting with District
Sanitary Inspector Shah Alam in the chair.
Upazila Sanitary Inspectors Ashraful Islam, Asadul Islam and Entaj Ali and
ACD Programme Officers Krishna Biswas and Tuhin Alam also spoke.
In his concept paper presentation, Enhasul Amin Emon, program coordinator
of ACD, narrated various demerits of smocking and uses of other smokeless
tobacco products.
He said imposing restriction on smoking in public places and transports is
very important for protecting many non-smokers from various chronic diseases
caused by smoking.
He said forging a social movement has become an urgent need for ensuring
hundred percent smoke-free public places and transports for freeing millions
of second hand and passive smoking from various harmful effects.
Dr Sanjit Kumar Saha said the uses of tobacco items cause many non-
communicable diseases like cancers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes,
tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder.
He alleged that some of the tobacco companies are expanding their market
promotional activities everywhere in the name of corporate social
responsibilities, which must be resisted.
Dr Saha viewed the government has amended the law to make it more
stringent because of growing tobacco use in the country. The law also bans
the selling of cigarettes to those below 18, he also said.
Coordination among the key stakeholders, awareness building and capacity
development, law enforcement particularly mobile court operation could be
vital strategies for effective enforcement of the law, he added.