DHAKA, May 30, 2024 (BSS) - World No Tobacco Day-2024 will be observed tomorrow in the country as elsewhere in the world with the theme 'Protecting children from tobacco industry interference'.

To mark the day, various anti-tobacco organizations have chalked out programmes.

The National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has taken programmes like every year.

A discussion will be held at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Convention Hall in the capital at 8 am tomorrow. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen will address it as the chief guest.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages wishing all the programmes on the day a success.

On the occasion, the President, in his message, said: "To keep children and teenagers away from all types of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, campaigns against tobacco and tobacco products should be carried out in traditional media, online streaming platforms and social media."

The sale of tobacco to persons under eighteen years of age and all forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products are prohibited in the country, the head of the state added.

Along with a complete ban on showing smoking scenes in dramas, the scenes in movies have also been strictly controlled, he said.

The President urged all concerned to strictly implement existing laws regarding tobacco use to create a healthy and beautiful tobacco-free society and generation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced the eradication of tobacco from Bangladesh by 2040, he said.

For this purpose, along with the government, civil society, professional organizations, non-governmental organizations and media should make a concerted effort, said Shahabuddin.

He hoped that all will be able to build a tobacco-free society with the collective efforts of all in the days to come.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the World Health Organization (WHO) has formulated the 'Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to reduce tobacco use.

In light of the FCTC, the Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act, was enacted in Bangladesh in 2005 and amended in 2013, she added.

Considering tobacco as a threat to development, the United Nations formulated the 'Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs) by including effective implementation of the FCTC and control of non-communicable diseases, she said.

The Awami League-led government has included the subject of tobacco control in the 8th five-year plans to achieve the SDGs, she said, adding that after all, at the South Asian Speaker's Summit-2016, the government announced to make Bangladesh tobacco-free by 2040.

"For that purpose, our government is working relentlessly," she continued.

In the context of global warming and the Russia-Ukraine war, the possibility of a global food crisis has emerged, the premier said, adding that hence, the prices of fuel oil, fertilizers and pesticides have increased drastically.
 
In this situation, fallow lands should be brought under cultivation to boost food production side by side avoiding harmful production of crops like tobacco, she said. 

Noting that smoking is also a gateway to drug use, she said parents and educational institutions should be aware of their responsibility to ensure the protection of children and adolescents from the harmful effects of tobacco and drugs.

"If all the educational institutions of the country are completely made tobacco-free, the future generation will be away from tobacco addiction. Countries around the world have had significant success following this tobacco control strategy," she added.

The premier hoped that the public, including children and teenagers, will be more aware of the harmful effects of tobacco and this awareness will protect children and teenagers from the allure of tobacco companies.