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.”
Chuadanga
- 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.
Mujibnagar
- 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.
Meherpur
- 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.
Alamdanga
- 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
Gangni
- 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.
