Speakers at a view exchange meeting Thursday called upon the government to immediately take effective measures to implement the article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to prevent the tobacco companies to influence the anti-tobacco activities.They termed smoking and using tobacco products as a major source especially for oral cancers and other diseases.
The speakers emphasised the need for creating awareness among the people about the harmful impacts of smoking and using of tobacco products for the sake of promoting healthy human resources.
They also called upon the concerned officials and people to remain alert about alluring people and carrying out promotional activities by tobacco companies.
Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust (WBBT) and Protect Journalists, a volunteer organisaiton, jointly organised the meeting at WBBT conference room I the city.
Presided over by Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, executive director of Protect Journalists, the meeting also spoken, among others, by Syed Mahbubul Alam, technical consultant of The Union, Prof Dr Habibullah Talukder of National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Gaous Pearee, director of WBBT, Nazmul Haider and journalist Rafiqul Islam Azad.
Representatives from different classes, organisations and professions took part in the view exchange programme organised to mark the World Health Day.
Syed Mahbubul Alam accused tobacco companies of creating obstacles in implementing health related policies to protect their business.
He also alleged that the tobacco companies are also creating confusions over showing pictorial warning on packet of cigarettes. – Staff Reporter
