Khulna: The quarterly meeting of the divisional taskforce committee on enforcement of the smoking and tobacco products control law was held at the conference room of the Khulna Divisional Commissioner's Office today. Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun chaired the meeting.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun emphasized that all government offices under their jurisdiction must first be made completely smoke-free as part of efforts to control smoking and tobacco use. He instructed the authorities concerned to install visible 'No Smoking' signs at the entrances of every government office.
The divisional commissioner highlighted the role of mosque imams in creating public awareness against smoking and tobacco use, urging them to contribute to anti-tobacco campaigns. He also stated that selling smoking and tobacco products within 100 metres of educational institutions, hospitals, and clinics is a punishable offence.
The meeting further discussed the need for awareness programmes that highlight the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use. The divisional commissioner instructed the authorities to conduct mobile court drives against violations of the smoking and tobacco products control law.
Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Sifat Mehnaz, Assistant Director of the Divisional Health Office Dr Aparna Biswas, Director of the Divisional Social Services Office Anindita Roy, along with officials from government and private offices and representatives of anti-tobacco alliances, attended the meeting.