Smoking publicly must be stopped!
Although smoking is prohibited in public places, in many instances, it is not being executed in the country. In particular, smoking publicly in the tourist zones including restaurants, streets, walkways, shopping malls, bazaars, institutional establishments, offices, etc has yet been continuing.
It is worth mentioning that most drug addicts are addicted to smoking first. The horrible effect of smoking not only harms smokers but also indirectly harms the people next to it. Consequently, children and pregnant women are most at risk from passive smoking. Even though smoking is injurious to human health, and causes various respiratory diseases including cancer, countless people are smoking all the time. Furthermore, in recent times, a new form of e-cigarette has become a fashioned symbol for many.
It is imperative to raise awareness among all in a bid to save the young generation from being harmed by smoking. Therefore, the concerned authorities have to be strict enough in preventing the gross sales of biri and cigarettes. To reduce the use of tobacco, high taxes on all tobacco made-goods have to be imposed. Finally, smoking in public spots must be banned and the Tobacco Control Act-2005 should necessarily be amended, reinforced, and executed strictly.
W. A. Khan
From Rangpur City
Sorry State of The Internet Speed!
In this surprising age of information technology and the internet, Bangladesh is at the bottom in terms of slow internet connection! According to the BTRC, the number of mobile internet users in the country is in the range of 120 million. But in respect of mobile internet, Bangladesh ranks 135th out of 139 countries globally!
Again, according to another data of BTRC, the number of broadband internet subscribers is nearly 10 million at present. But unfortunately, the country ranks 99th out of 180 countries in the list of broadband internet services!
High-speed internet connection is an essential catalyst in the new normal situation under the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought about unprecedented changes in the pursuit of life and livelihoods, doing necessary works at the office, executing business, and most importantly keeping distant learning continued. However, to keep pace with the ever-changing world of technology, there is no substitute for high-speed Internet service. In this case, lagging means-the fulfillment of the dream of transforming digital Bangladesh will remain hampered.
Foreign telecoms are doing solid business in the name of service. On the other hand, the service standard of Teletalk, the only state-owned telco, is surprisingly disappointing. Therefore the regulatory body may consider imposing controls on the available mobile phone operators by canceling registration, including other stricter measures, to increase and maintain services quality for both voice and data during the spectrum auction. At the same time, there is no alternative to take effective measures to upgrade the service quality of Teletalk and its all-out capabilities, and speed up broadband internet throughout the country.
Waris Khan
Sadar Narsingdi
