YPSA observed World No Tobacco Day’15 on 31st May in all 11 districts of Chittagong Division jointly with District Civil Surgeon Office and District Tobacco Control Taskforce. The theme of the day was “Stop illicit trade of tobacco products”. Colorful rallies and discussion meetings were arranged in 11 districts to mark the day. Significance and theme of the day, harms of tobacco use, tobacco control law and importance of tax raise on tobacco products were discussed in the meetings. Speakers urged government to stop the illicit trade of tobacco products and implementing the Tobacco Control law.
Government officials, Taskforce members, representatives from different NGOs, doctors, students, health workers, volunteers, journalists, ATMA members and smoke Free Coalition members participated in the rallies and discussion meetings.
The Tobacco Control Journalist Award 2015 also distributed to four journalists from ATMA, Chittagong region. Dr. Md. Sarfaraj Khan Chowdhury, District civil surgeon of Chittagong district and Dr. Salim Mohammed Jahangir, Principal of Chittagong Medical Collage has distributed the awards to the journalists. YPSA also broadcast tobacco control information through Community Radio Sagar Giri FM 99.2 on 31 May.
Mobile courts were also conducted by local administration on 31st May in Chittagong, Laxmipur, Khagrachari, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Brahman Baria and Comilla and fined 12450 taka to 27 smokers for smoking at public places and 9 shops for point of sell advertisement.
Chittagong
In Chittagong a rally was arranged from Shahid Minar which moved to Civil surgeon office. The civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Sarfaraj Khan Chowdhury has inaugurated the rally. people from NGOs, health workers, government officials, coalition members, journalists, ATMA members, students, volunteers and youth leaders participated in the rally.
After the rally a discussion meeting was also held at Civil Surgeon office where the Principal of Chittagong Medical Collage Dr. Salim Mohammed Jahangir was the chief guest of the meeting. The Civil Sargon Dr. Md. Sarfaraj Khan Chowdhury has presided over the meeting and the special guests were Dr. Alauddin Majumder, Director Health of Chittagong division and Mr. Mahabubur Rahman, Director (SDP) of YPSA.
Ms. Nasim Banu Shyamali presented the theme of the day. The welcome speech was delivered by Dr. Rafik Uddin, Deputy Civil Surgeon. The speakers have emphasized on the implementing the Tobacco control law and need of urgent measure to take action against illicit trade. The Tobacco Control Journalist Award 2015 also distributed to four journalists from ATMA, Chittagong region. Dr. Md. Sarfaraj Khan, District civil surgeon of Chittagong district has distributed the award.
YPSA broadcasted tobacco control information through Community Radio Sagar Giri on 31st May on the occasion of World No tobacco Day.
A mobile court also conducted and visited many super malls and other public places in Chittagong.
Feni
YPSA, FHDF and Health department jointly organized a rally and discussion meeting on 31st May for observing world No tobacco day. Mr. Jalal Saifur Rahman, Additional District Magistrate attended in the main discussion arranged at the conference room of civil surgeon office as the chief guest with Acting Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramprodo Saha in the chair. Health Education Officer. Executive Director of FHDF Mr. advocate Jahangir Alam Nantu narrated the negative aspects of using tobacco products.
Representative of journalist, NGOs leaders, government officials, coalition members, students, teachers, health workers have participated in the program. Speakers at a discussion stressed for comprehensive efforts of all to curb illicit tobacco trading as it is posing a serious threat to the global public health. A mobile court was conducted and fined 2100 taka to 7 smokers for smoking at public places.
Cox’s bazar
Cox’s bazar Civil Surgeon Office and YPSA jointly observed World No Tobacco day in Cox’s Bazar. A massive rally and a discussion meeting arranged on the occasion of the day. Mr. Md. Ali Hossain, Deputy Commissioner led the rally where Dr. Md. Komor Uddin, Civil surgeon, Mr. Uchapro Marma senior health education officer, government officials, civil society, NGOs, students and general people have participated. A post rally discussion also arranged at civil surgeon office.
Mr. Md. Ali Hossain, Deputy Commissioner was the chief guest and Dr. Md. Komor Uddin, Civil surgeon presided over the meeting. Mr. S.M. Shah habibur Rahman Hakim, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Edu & ICT) and Mr. Uchapro Marma, Senior health education officer also attended as special guest. The speakers emphasized on a mass awareness on the harms of tobacco use, and implementation of TC law. Mr. Humayun Kabir, Deputy Director, Narcotics department, Assistant Director of Fire service and civil defense and others attended in the meeting.
A mobile court was also conducted and fined 5500 taka to 6 shops for display tobacco advertisement at point of sell.
Brahmanbaria:
DC office of Brahmanbaria, Civil Surgeon office and YPSA jointly observed World No Tobacco day 2015 on 31st May. Md. Moshararaf Hosen, Deputy Commissioner of Brahmanbaria district inaugurated the rally. After the rally discussion meeting has organized at conference room of Civil Surgeon office. In the meeting, Md. Moshararaf Hossain, Deputy Commissioner of Brahmanbaria was the chief guest where Dr. Hasina Akther, Civil Surgeon of Brahmanbaria presided over the meeting.
Different NGO representatives, government officials, taskforce members, health workers, journalists were also participated in the rally and meeting. A mobile court also conducted and fined 2100 taka to 7 smokers for smoking at public places. Mobile court was conducted in Brahmanbaria and fined 1900 taka to 7 smokers for smoking in public places.
Comilla
Comilla City Corporation, DC office, Civil Surgeon office and YPSA jointly observed World No Tobacco Day 2015. Md. Hasanuzzaman Kollol, Deputy Commissioner of Comilla inaugurated the rally. Different NGO representatives, government officials, taskforce members, health workers, journalists were also participated in the rally. After the rally a discussion meeting has organized at Civil Surgeon office where Md. Hasanuzzaman Kollol, DC of Comilla was the chief guest and Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman, Civil Surgeon, Comilla presided over the meeting. Md. Shajahan Deputy Civil Surgeon of Comilla and Councilor of Comilla City Corporation has participated.
Medical Officer of Civil Surgeon Office, different NGO representatives, government officials, taskforce members, students, health workers, journalists were also participated in the meeting. A Mobile court operated in Comilla where 2100 taka collected as penalty from 9 smokers.
Chandpur:
Civil Surgeon office of Chandpur, YPSA and other NGOs jointly observed World No Tobacco day 2015. Ms. Syeda Badrun Nahar, Ex- Director of Health Department inaugurated the rally. After the rally discussion meeting has organized at conference room of Civil Surgeon office where Dr. Badrun Nahar, RMO, Chandpur Hospital and different NGO representatives, government officials, taskforce members, health workers, journalists also participated in the meeting.
Khagrachari:
In Khagrachari district YPSA has observed the day jointly with Health department and YPSA. A rally was arranged from Town hall which moved to Civil surgeon office. After the rally a discussion meeting also held at Civil Surgeon office. Mr. Enayaet Hossain Mannan, Assist. Police commissioner was the chief guest of the meeting where the Civil Sargeon Dr. Miton Chakma has presided over the meeting. The speakers emphasized to stop tobacco cultivation in Chittagong Hill Tracts, take strong measures for implementing TC law and stop the illicit trade. A mobile court has conducted and fined 750 taka to 4 smokers for smoking in public place and 2 shops for point of sell advertisement. Besides that mobile court also visited other shops and warned them.
Bandarban:
Civil surgeon Office and YPSA jointly organized a rally and a discussion session to observe the world no tobacco day in Bandarban. Dr. Anup Dewan, Civil surgeon presided over the meeting where Mr. Abu Zafar, Additional Deputy commissioner (General) was the chief guest. The speakers emphasized on the raising awareness on the harms of the tobacco use among the students. Dr. Ukha Uin, Deputy Director, Family Planning, Mr. Sa Swiching, Senior Health Education officer, Mr. Thoainu Aung, Junior health Education Officer, Md. Nazrul Islam Titu, journalist have attended as special guest. Besides that different NGOs, students, coalition members, journalist, government officials and civil society have participated in the program. A colorful rally also arranged from DC office before the meeting and the rally moved around the city.
