Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Atiqul Islam has called upon the people from all walks of life to join hands in combating the tobacco issue and to work together to make a tobacco-free society.
He made the call from the programme of the DNCC in the capital on Wednesday (May 31), organised on the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day-2023.
The DNCC observe the day for the first time amid various programmes and the Mayor has played a vital role to chalk out the anti-tobacco programme.
The DNCC’s World No Tobacco Day programme was hailed by anti-tobacco activists and experts on public health. Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, an expert on tobacco control and technical adviser at The Union; said that the DNCC’s initiatives will play a vital role against tobacco consumption in Bangladesh.
DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam delivered a compelling speech during the grand inauguration ceremony of the World No Tobacco Day, which was meticulously organised by DNCC.
The event witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries, including Habib Hasan, MP from Dhaka-18 constituency; Md. Selim Reza, chief executive officer of DNCC; and Brig General Md Zobaidur Rahman, chief health officer of DNCC.
In his impassioned speech, Mayor Md Atiqul Islam vehemently condemned the consumption of tobacco and shed light on the severe health hazards it poses. With an unwavering commitment to public health, he emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco use.
The event witnessed the presence of numerous influential civil society organizations that are actively engaged in tobacco control and advocacy. Notable organizations included Bureau of Economic Research (BER) of Dhaka University, Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University, Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA), WBB Trust, Development Activities of Society (DAS), AID Foundation, and Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
The Mayor's speech served as a clarion call to the attendees, highlighting the urgent need to combat the detrimental effects of tobacco on both individual and public health. By raising awareness and promoting preventative measures, the Mayor, along with the DNCC, aims to create a healthier environment for the citizens of Dhaka.
