“We will start conducting mobile court soon but, only mobile court conducting is not enough to stop smoking in the public places. It needs strong public awareness as well” said Additional District Commissioner of Chittagong Mr. Sanaullah Khan while he was present as chief guest in a meeting titled “Implementation of Tobacco Control Law and our Responsibilities” held at Mandarin Restuarent, Chittagong organized by YPSA with the support of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids on February 2, 2014 .
Mr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director of Youth Development department and Mr. Sayed Salam, Deputy Director of Information department were present as special guest in the meeting. The meeting was also addressed by several other councilors of Chittagong City Corporation, representatives from transport associations, hotel-restaurant associations, market associations, education institutions, NGOs, health officer of civil surgeon office, electronic and print media etc.
The meeting was presided over by Mr. Nasirul Hoque, News Editor of The Daily Suprovat Bangladesh. The welcome speech was delivered by Mr. Md. Mahabubur Rahman, Director (Social Development Program) of YPSA. In the meeting, Nasim Banu, Team Leader of Smoke Free Project of YPSA shared information on Tobacco control situation in Bangladesh, harms of tobacco use, Tobacco Control law, some pictures of the violation of Tobacco control law in Chittagong and some suggestion to implement the TC law. After her presentation, participants have participated in an open discussion and shared their idea and commitment to implement the Tobacco control Law.
The speakers emphasized to take massive actions to aware the mass people about the health hazard of tobacco use and ensure law enforcement to protect people from the second hand smoke in all the public places. The speakers also admitted that all the health related programs of the government should prioritize the tobacco control issues to stop the adverse effect of tobacco use.
