Anti-tobacco rally held on World No Tobacco Day

The World Cancer Society Bangladesh organised an anti-tobacco rally and awareness campaign in the capital on Sunday to mark World No Tobacco Day.

The rally began in the afternoon from the National Press Club premises. After parading through several key streets in the capital, it concluded at the Central Shaheed Minar.

Participants carried placards and banners highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping. They also distributed leaflets among pedestrians. The campaign urged the youth to become aware of the severe health risks associated with tobacco and addictive products.

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Syed Humayun Kabir, a public health and cancer prevention researcher and president of World Cancer Society Bangladesh, chaired the event. Prof Dr Md Habibullah Talukder Ruskin, the chief adviser of the organisation, attended as the chief guest.

Speaking at the event, Prof Dr Habibullah Talukder Ruskin said, "The spread of tobacco and e-cigarettes is putting the country's youth at serious health risk. To save the next generation, the government, families, educational institutions, media, and social organisations must work together."

He also called for the strict implementation of tobacco control laws and effective measures to stop the easy availability of e-cigarettes and vaping products.

In his presidential address, Dr Syed Humayun Kabir noted that the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes is rising alarmingly in the country, with marketing and promotional campaigns specifically targeting young people.

He warned that these products increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses, pushing the youth into nicotine addiction.

"We must stop the culture of presenting tobacco as a symbol of modernity or personality," Dr Kabir added. He emphasised the urgent need to impose high taxes on tobacco products, increase prices, and implement effective laws to control the import, marketing, and promotion of e-cigarettes and vaping items.

Dr Kabir further stressed that alongside law enforcement, public awareness must be increased to build a tobacco-free future. He also suggested discouraging tobacco farming and providing necessary support to encourage farmers to cultivate alternative profitable and eco-friendly crops.

Doctors, healthcare workers, engineers, organisation members, volunteers, scouts, students, and people from various professions participated in the programme.