Ban on smoking
Dr. Kazi Mahboob Hassan MBBS, Mphil Public Health research student in Harm Reduction University o
DS published a news on the passing of the landmarkÊ'Smoking and Tobacco Usage (control) Act, 2005', introduced by the Health and Family Welfare Minister. We must thank the government for taking a firm step toward controlling tobacco products in our country. It is a victory of the people and the anti-tobacco campaigners fighting for a long time. Though we are not yet fully informed of the bill but it is apparent from your comprehensive reporting that there was no clause for a legal age limit for purchasing and selling tobacco products, which otherwise would have a strong impact on controlling it. Probably it also overlooked the situation regarding the cost and ease of purchasing cigarettes (like banning sale of a single stick of cigarette instead of a pack). Furthermore, we must also prohibit showing on-screen smoking by the actors in dramas or cinemas, as they send a very strong positive message for smoking, particularly to the adolescents. We must also allocate resources for educating and training to prevent and treat all kinds of drug addiction including tobacco and provide treatment and support for those who want to quit. Nevertheless, we must congratulate Hon'ble Minister Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain for boldly piloting such a bill. It will be an example for other developing countries to follow.
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