BSS, Rajshahi :
Speakers at a press conference here on Wednesday opined that responsive role of mass-media is imperative to protect public health from various non communicable diseases (NCD) through stopping all sorts of violations of the existing Tobacco Control Law.
They noted that the media report can facilitate the administration to launch fight against all sorts of illegal advertisements and publication of the multinational tobacco companies in line with enforcement of the tobacco control law.
Association for Community Development (ACD), a rights-based non-government development organization, organised the media conference to mark the unfolding of a survey report related to ‘advertisement, publicity, incentives and patronization of tobacco products in Rajshahi city area’.
Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids (CTFK) supported the meeting.
Chaired by ACD Executive Director Salima Sarwar, the conference was addressed, among others, by Executive Magistrate Rifatul Islam, ACD Director Pankaj Karmaker, Programme Officers Krishna Rani Biswash and Anwar Hossain and Media Manager Amzad Hossain.
During presentation of the survey report, ACD Advocacy Officer Shariful Islam said most of the retailers and selling points were found flouting tobacco control law through getting support of the tobacco companies.
Salima Sarwar said imposing restrictions on smoking in public places and transports is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various NCDs and use of tobacco items causes many NCDs including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder.
“Many of the tobacco companies are also expanding their market through promotional activities in the name of corporate social responsibility, which must be stopped,” she added.
She said the government has amended the law to make it more stringent because of growing tobacco use in the country and as per the law, the selling of cigarettes to those below 18 has been banned.
Salima Sarwar added that mobile courts should be conducted against all sorts of violations of the law, adding the district administration should supplement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement of freeing the country from tobacco use by 2040.
Speakers at a press conference here on Wednesday opined that responsive role of mass-media is imperative to protect public health from various non communicable diseases (NCD) through stopping all sorts of violations of the existing Tobacco Control Law.
They noted that the media report can facilitate the administration to launch fight against all sorts of illegal advertisements and publication of the multinational tobacco companies in line with enforcement of the tobacco control law.
Association for Community Development (ACD), a rights-based non-government development organization, organised the media conference to mark the unfolding of a survey report related to ‘advertisement, publicity, incentives and patronization of tobacco products in Rajshahi city area’.
Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids (CTFK) supported the meeting.
Chaired by ACD Executive Director Salima Sarwar, the conference was addressed, among others, by Executive Magistrate Rifatul Islam, ACD Director Pankaj Karmaker, Programme Officers Krishna Rani Biswash and Anwar Hossain and Media Manager Amzad Hossain.
During presentation of the survey report, ACD Advocacy Officer Shariful Islam said most of the retailers and selling points were found flouting tobacco control law through getting support of the tobacco companies.
Salima Sarwar said imposing restrictions on smoking in public places and transports is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various NCDs and use of tobacco items causes many NCDs including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder.
“Many of the tobacco companies are also expanding their market through promotional activities in the name of corporate social responsibility, which must be stopped,” she added.
She said the government has amended the law to make it more stringent because of growing tobacco use in the country and as per the law, the selling of cigarettes to those below 18 has been banned.
Salima Sarwar added that mobile courts should be conducted against all sorts of violations of the law, adding the district administration should supplement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement of freeing the country from tobacco use by 2040.
