World No Tobacco Day Celebrated in Chuadanga and Meherpur – Dainik Mathabhanga

Dainik Mathabhanga, June 1, 2014, Across Chuadanga and Meherpur, World No Tobacco Day 2014 was observed with the slogan:

“Increase Tax on Tobacco, Reduce Disease and Death Rates.”

Organized by: District Administration and Health Department
Venue: Sadar Upazila Parishad Auditorium
Presided by: Acting Civil Surgeon Dr. Paritosh Kumar Ghosh
Chief Guest: Deputy Commissioner Md. Delwar Hossain
Special Guests: UNO Abul Amin and BMA President Dr. Martin Hirak Chowdhury
Attendees: Government and NGO officials, social organizations, and civil society members.
Highlights: DC emphasized the need for social movements to counter tobacco company tactics despite tax increases.

Activities: Rally and Discussion Meeting
Held at: Upazila Health Complex
Organized by: WBB Trust, AID, and Ashray Samaj Unnayan Sangstha
Presided by: Upazila Health Officer Dr. Hasan Ali
Speakers: Dr. Saiful Hel Azam, M.A. Hasan Sumon, and journalist Sheikh Safiuddin
Despite rain, health professionals, journalists, and the public participated actively.

Morning rally ended with discussion at the DC Conference Room
Chief Guest: DC Mahamud Hossain
Chair: Acting Civil Surgeon Dr. Mizanur Rahman
Special Guest: Additional DC Hemayet Hossain
Discussion Focus: Health burden of tobacco – 57,000 deaths/year and 382,000 disabilities
Key Message: Raising taxes on tobacco will reduce smoking rates and prevent new smokers.
Organized by: District Taskforce Committee, AID, Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, and Anti-Tobacco Alliance
Leaflet campaigns followed the event.

Morning rally and leaflet campaign organized by Protyasha Social Development Organization, PDS, and WBB Trust
Key Participants: PDS Director Sirajul Islam, Alamdanga Press Club President Shah Alam Montu Rahman, NGO representatives, and teachers

Venue: Palashipara Hall Room
Chief Guest: UNO and Taskforce Chair Abdus Salam
Jointly Organized by: Swadesh, AID, SPHRS, ORD, HRDP, POUS, Upazila Tobacco Control Taskforce, Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance, and WBB Trust
Event ended with a rally through the town’s main roads.