KHULNA, June 9: A discussion meeting was held in the conference room of the Khulna Deputy Commissioner (DC)’s office on Tuesday to mark World No Tobacco Day with the theme: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”
The programme was organised by the Khulna District administration with support from the National Tobacco Control Cell.
Speaking as the chief guest, DC Hoore Jannat said passive smoking is often more harmful to human health than direct smoking.
She stressed that awareness must be raised immediately to protect individuals, families and society from the devastating effects of tobacco.
“If each of us becomes conscious from our own position, positive change is possible,” she said, adding that there is no alternative to avoiding tobacco and nicotine addiction in building a healthy and safe life.
She urged the youth not to be misled by the inducements offered by tobacco-related companies, including promises of jobs, opportunities to go abroad and sponsorship of concerts and entertainment events.
“To ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations, everyone must act more responsibly and comply properly with existing laws and regulations on smoking control,” she added.
Khulna Civil Surgeon Dr Mahfuza Khatun presided over the meeting. Additional District Magistrate Nurul Hai Mohammad Anas delivered the welcome speech.
Among others, Additional DC of Khulna Metropolitan Police Zakia Sultana, Koyra UNO Md Abdullah Al Baki, Deputy Director of the Khulna Department of Women Affairs Suraiya Siddika and representatives of various NGOs addressed the programme.
On the occasion, honours were awarded to Koyra UNO Md Abdullah Al Baki for conducting the highest number of anti-tobacco mobile court drives and to Assistant Commissioner Md Mehedi Hasan for imposing the highest amount of fines in anti-tobacco enforcement.
Speakers at the meeting cited alarming tobacco-related statistics in Bangladesh. More than 161,000 people die every year from the effects of tobacco use, which translates to about 18 deaths every hour. Around 40 million adults in the country use tobacco, while 6.9 per cent of those under 15 years of age also consume tobacco products.
About 1.92 crore people smoke, while passive smoking affects roughly 2.50 crore people in public transport, 81 lakh at workplaces and more than 40 lakh at home. Nearly 25 lakh people use smokeless tobacco products such as zarda, gul, sadapata and khaini.
The meeting was informed that 46 per cent of cancer patients in Bangladesh are tobacco users, and passive smoking alone accounts for about 2.51 per cent of total deaths in the country.
Earlier in the day, a colourful rally began at Shaheed Hadis Park in the city, marched through several streets and ended at the DC office.
