No Tobacco Day today
The World No Tobacco Day will be observed in Bangladesh as well as 174 other countries in the globe today to sensitise people about bad, injurious effects of tobacco use.
The theme of this year's day is "Tobacco Industry Interference".
To mark the day, the government, different socio-cultural, health and other organisations will organise various programmes, including discussions, today in the capital as well as other parts of the country.
The national programme, about the theme `Tobacco Industry Interference`, will be held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Osmani Uddyan at Abdul Ghani Road in the city.
A press briefing was held at the Health Ministry on the eve of the World No Tobacco Day yesterday, chaired by Health Minister Dr AFM Ruhal Huq.
He said that some 57,00 people of over 30 years of age die while 3,82,000 get disabled every year in the country due to tobacco use.
Quoting a report of a survey conducted in Bangladesh in 2009 by Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) he said that tobacco consumption is growing in the country, pointing out that 43.3 % of over 15 years of age use tobacco.
He said the existing the Smoking and Tobacco Control Act, 2004, is being amended to make it up to date and more effective.
Besides, controlling cigarette and bidi the new law will aim at curbing use of smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco, i.e. sada pata, zarda and kimam, he added.
Comments