Experts call for speedy approval of amendments to tobacco control act
Experts at a seminar have called for the speedy approval of the amendments to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (amended in 2013) prepared by the Ministry of Health, in the National Parliament.
They made the call at the seminar titled 'Importance of the Speedy Approval of the Amended Draft Tobacco Control Act' organised by Development Organization of the Rural Poor (Dorp) at the Cirdap auditorium in the capital on Sunday (3 September), said a press release.
Speaking at the seminar as the chief guest, State Minister for Social Welfare Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, said, "The government is committed to pass the amended tobacco control act quickly. Due to the use of tobacco, people are affected by various diseases including heart diseases, stroke and cancer. According to the World Health Organization data, about 442 people die every day due to the diseases caused by the use of tobacco in the country.
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"I am hopeful that the speedy approval and implementation of the amendment law will ensure protection of public health."
He further said the six recommendations attached in the revised draft are very timely and effective and all parties will benefit if the law is passed quickly.
He also assured that there will be a detailed discussion on the amended law in the Cabinet and he expressed hope that everyone will give their opinion in favour of it. Besides, he urged the policy makers at all levels of the government to take initiatives to pass the law quickly.
Md Abu Alam Shahid Khan, secretary general of Bangladesh Retired Government Employees Welfare Association and former secretary of Bangladesh government, and AHM Noman, founder and CEO of Dorp, also spoke at the event.
The seminar was presided over by Md Azhar Ali Talukder, executive advisor of Dorp, and moderated by Mohammad Jobair Hasan, deputy executive director, Dorp.
