Call to implement FCTC
Speakers at a views exchange meeting yesterday called upon the government to immediately take effective measures to implement the article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to prevent the tobacco companies to influence the anti-tobacco activities. They termed smoking and using tobacco products as a major source for oral cancers and other diseases. The speakers emphasised the need for creating awareness among the people about the harmful impacts of smoking and using of tobacco products for the sake of promoting healthy human resources. They also called upon the concerned officials and people to remain alert against various luring efforts and promotional activities by tobacco companies. Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust (WBBT) and Protect Journalists, a volunteer organisaiton, jointly organised the meeting at the WBBT conference room in the capital yesterday. Representatives from different classes, organisations and professions took part in the view exchange programme organised to mark the World Health Day. Presided over by Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, executive director of Protect Journalists, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by Syed Mahbubul Alam, technical consultant of The Union, Prof Dr Habibullah Talukder of National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Gaous Pearee, director of WBBT, Nazmul Haider and journalist Rafiqul Islam Azad.
