ET Desk: Terming tobacco products as a threat to the national economy, public health and and environment, speakers at a programme called upon NGO activists to play their due role in reducing its use.

NGO activists have wide networks and influence across the country. They (NGO activists) can play a significant role in reducing the use of tobacco products (bidi, cigarette, gul) by using their network and influence through creating awareness, they observed.
The speakers expressed the views while addressing an opinion exchange meeting with NGO activists titled ‘Harms of Smoking and Tobacco Products and Remedies’ at Sicily Chinese Restaurant in Natore district town.

If the NGO activists come forward in anti-tobacco campaign, it would be easier to achieve the national goal of tobacco free country by 2040, they observed.
Bangladesh Blind Mission (BBM), an organization working on health and disability rights issues, organized the meeting recently.
The recommendations made by the participants at the meeting are: no smoking in open places, strict enforcement of laws on smoking and sale and manufacture of tobacco products, counseling children/family members on the harmful effects of smoking, giving incentives to encourage smoking cessation, and imposing increased tax on tobacco products.
Programme Officer of BBM Khandaker Abedul Islam presided over the event, while it was conducted and facilitated by nationally renowned consultant Subhashish Chandra Mahant.
Moderated by BBM’s Tareq Mahmood, BBM officials along with 28 NGO activists were present on the occasion.

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