Stop Cigarettes

It is surprising to note that a poor country like us is very much encouraging not only smoking but also its production. There are frequent advertisements in print and audio visual media in such a way that all young people are attracted to try it and subsequently become addicted to it. There is a statutory warning which is shown or printed in a simple manner.

"Smoking is dangerous to health" and that is accepted by all. Then why this dangerous thing is licensed to the manufacturer and marketed freely with encouragement through uncontrolled advertisements. The people who smoke are suffering from asthma, lungs problems or even cancer and spending millions of taka on medicines and treatment. I have gone through some arguments in favour of continuing the tobacco industry.

The closure of this industry will bring monetary loss to tobacco farmers, loss of employment in tobacco industry, loss of huge revenue to the government etc. Now a balance has to be reached between various parameters controlling this vice. The total game is in the hands of the government. I appreciate the problems of all concerned but also fully understand the curse on our poor society and its hazardous results. I would, therefore, lay down following suggestions to be followed by the persons concerned:

1. The government should be determined to phase out manufacturing of cigarettes.

2.The existing tobacco/cigarette factories be converted into any other pharmaceutical or productive industry thus providing non-break job to its employees.

3. Non-smoking zones be declared for all public places, transports, gatherings, hotels, restaurants, etc.

4. The cost of cigarettes should be raised so high that youngsters, specially students, cannot afford to buy it.

5. Tobacco cultivators be provided with alternative marketing venues for their products and/or be guided to produce other equally profitable commodities.

6. All sorts of advertisements of cigarettes even with statutory warnings be totally banned.

7. Media be encouraged to propagate the ill effects of smoking in a vigorous manner.

8. Sale of cigarettes to persons below the age of 18 be banned.