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World No Tobacco Day today


Published : 30 May 2023 10:48 PM

The World No Tobacco Day-2023 will be observed today in the country as elsewhere in the world to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco use.

This year’s theme for the day is “We need food, not tobacco,” as the day will be observed with the call to end tobacco farming and encourage farmers for switching the tobacco cultivation and improving food security and nutrition. 

To mark the day, various anti-tobacco platforms and many other government and non-government organisations have chalked out different programmes in Dhaka and other parts of the country.  The National Tobacco Control Cell 

(NTCC) under the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken the initiative to observe the day with due importance. 

On the occasion, the NTCC will bring out an anti-tobacco procession from the Central Shaheed Minar at Dhaka University at 8:00 am.  

Hossain Ali Khandaker, an additional secretary of the health ministry and coordinator at the NTCC; called upon the anti-tobacco activists and all others to take part in the colourful procession.    

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will also observe the day for the first time amid various programmes. Marking the day, the DNCC will bring out a colourful procession in Kawla area in the city at 11:00 am.  

Md. Atiqul Islam, mayor of the city corporation, will lead the procession. Later, a discussion will be held where the DNCC Mayor will attend as the chief guest. 

Brig General MdZobaidur Rahman, chief health officer of DNCC said that Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) and many other anti-tobacco organisations will take part in the DNCC’s World No Tobacco Day programme. He requested all to join the programme. 

Syed MahbubulAlamTahin, an expert on tobacco control and technical adviser at The Union; welcomed the DNCC for their first-ever initiative to observe the day. He said that the DNCC’s initiatives will play a vital role against tobacco. 

MANAS (Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse), an anti-tobacco platform in Bangladesh arranged a press conference at the National Press Club in the capital on Tuesday (May 30) to mark the World No Tobacco Day, said Md. Abu Rayhan, project officer of MANAS. 

MANAS at the press conference called upon the government to take initiative to finalize the policy for discouraging tobacco farming.   

Dhaka Ahsania Mission held a discussion on the World No Tobacco Day in the capital on Tuesday.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. 

The day serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of tobacco on individuals, families, and communities. It aims to encourage smokers to quit and to prevent young people from starting the habit. By raising awareness and promoting tobacco control measures, the World No Tobacco Day plays a vital role in reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases and promoting a healthier society.

On this day, various activities and campaigns are organized worldwide, including Bangladesh, to promote tobacco control.