City Desk :
World No Tobacco Day-2024 will be observed today 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, reports BSS.
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.