KHULNA, May 31, 2022 (BSS) - The "World No Tobacco Day-2022" was observed
here today as elsewhere in the world highlighting the health and other risks
associated with tobacco usage and advocating effective policies to reduce
tobacco consumption.

This year's theme of the day is "Tobacco threat to our environment". Various
anti-tobacco organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the
day.

Khulna District Administration brought out a rally from city's Shaheed Hadis
Park which ended at the Collectorate building after parading main streets of
the city.

Later, a discussion was held at the Deputy Commissioner's (DC's) conference
room here.

Deputy Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Talukder addressed the meeting as the
chief guest with Additional Deputy Commissioner Pulak Kumar Mondal in the
chair.

Civil Surgeon Dr Sujat Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sadekur
Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police Sushanta Kumar, District
Education Officer Ruhul Amin also spoke on the occasion.

Government officials, NGO personnel, health workers, teachers, students,
among others, attended the meeting.

Speakers said tobacco has massive harmful effects on health and environment.
 
"Cigarette and biri smoking is one of reasons for indoor air pollution," they
said, adding that tobacco consumption and smoking increase risk for cardiac
arrest, stroke, cancer, diabetes, asthma and different non-communicable
diseases.

Noting that smoking is called entrance to the drug abuse, the chief guest
said tobacco consumption and smoking push young people towards drug addiction
and make them burdens of family and state.

Putting highest priority on public health, the government has formulated the
'Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Rule' in 2015 after amending
the 'Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005', he said.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that tobacco would be eliminated from
Bangladesh by 2040. In this regard, ensuring of proper implementation of
tobacco control laws and regulations is very important," he mentioned.

The DC hoped that present government will be able to make a tobacco-free
country with united efforts of all to build a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.