UNB :
ADHUNIK, a pioneerorganisation in the anti-tobacco campaign, has said the government should enlist tobacco as a dangerous addictive drug in Bangladesh.
“ADHUNIK will strengthen its campaign in demanding tobacco control and gradually push for a complete ban on tobacco products,” said its president Amanullah Khan.
Speaking at a recent webinar, he said the World
Health Organization (WHO) enlisted tobacco as an addictive drug way back in 1987.
“We’vecontinuously pressed forward our demand to the Narcotics Control Department of our country to do the same in Bangladesh,but to no avail,” he said.
ADHUNIK (Amra Dhumpan Nibaron Kori) hosted the webinar titled “World No Tobacco Day: Pledge to quit tobacco today” supported by Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
At the event, Amanullah Khan also paid respect to former president of ADHUNIK Professor Dr. Nurul Islam,recallinghim as a ‘Dedicated Tobacco Warrior’.
“We may lose the battle, but we’llwin the war,” said the current ADHUNIK president citing Professor Dr. Nurul Islam on the war against tobacco.
Khan said tobacco business empires are increasing their horizon everyday and their lobby is very strong.
He said the government should take strict initiatives in controlling tobacco products to live up to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s pledge in creating a smoking-free Bangladesh by 2040.
Vice Chancellor of Chattogram Medical College Prof Dr Md. Ismail Khan spoke at the webinar as the chief guest.
He said tobacco is one of the most addictive products and the government should immediatelyenactstrict lawsforcontrolling tobacco.
“Besides, passive smoking is also very harmful. No one has the right to actively harm others. So,authorities should have zero tolerance towards smoking,” he added.
Prof Abu Taher, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC),said the anti-tobacco laws in Bangladesh are notenforcedproperly. “The situation should change.”
Several other notable personalities spoke at the webinarfocusing onthe harmful effects of smoking.
Tobacco products to become more affordable: Anti-tobacco platforms onbudget reaction
On Thursday, two anti-tobacco platforms-PROGGA and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA)–claimed that tobacco products will become more affordable in the upcoming fiscalyear (2021-2022).
