Dhaka correspondent :: Bangladesh is going to observe World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2018 on May 31 like the previous years. To mark this event, PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), with the support from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) jointly organized a discussion meeting today (May 27) at CIRDAP auditorium. The theme for WNTD 2018 is – Tobacco and Heart Disease. Tobacco use is the second leading cause of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. According to World Health Organization, tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure cause approximately 200,000 heart disease deaths every year all over the world. In Bangladesh, this leads to 30% of all heart disease deaths which is alarming. The high use of tobacco products is increasing the risk of heart disease. So, there is no alternative to tobacco control when it comes to battling the heart disease and safeguard public health. Invited speakers and participants focused on directives and imperatives about the issue. ‘PROGGA Tobacco Control Journalism Award 2018’ was presented in the event. The awardees of the year are – Mohammad Serajul Islam, Chief Reporter, the Daily Sylheter Dak, Sylhet for best local newspaper report; Doulot Akter Mala, Special Correspondent, The Financial Express and Abul Kashem, Senior Reporter, the Daily Kaler Kantha for best print/ online media category, A S M Atiqur Rahman, Senior Correspondent, NTV for best Television report. The Jury also nominated Golam Mortuza Jewel, Chief Reporter, the Daily Kirtonkhola, Barisal (currently in the Daily Ajker Poriborton, Barisal) for his outstanding journalism and offered special recognition.

The Honorable Minister of Education, Nurul Islam Nahid MP was present in the program as the chief guest. In his speech, he said, ‘The national curriculum for next year has already been finalized. So, we will include lessons about the different detrimental effects of tobacco in the national curriculum from the year 2020. This will make the students aware of consequences of tobacco use and then they can pass the awareness to their family members.’ He also announced, ‘The government will take necessary measures to ban the sale of tobacco products within 500 meters of educational institutions.’ The special guest of the event was the founder and president of National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, National Professor Brig. (Rtd.) Abdul Malik. Focusing on the prevalence of heart disease in Bangladesh, he said, ‘The number of heart disease patients in our country is on the rise. In particular, the growing menace of heart disease among the 30-40 year olds of our country offers the most alarming picture. Tobacco use is one of the major factors behind this crisis.’ Prof Abul Kalam Azad, Director General for Health Services and the guest of honor of today’s event said, ‘Journalists of ATMA have been playing significant role in generating awareness regarding smoking and tobacco control.’ He also added, ‘a small of investment in battling tobacco-related non-communicable diseases can save the government from enormous financial loss.’ Mortuza Haider Liton, convener, Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) and Chief Crime Correspondence, Bdnews24.com delivered the welcome speech. Other guests and participants include MD. Khairul Alam Sheikh, Coordinator, National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, President, NATAB; Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman Bhuiyan, Grants Manager, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK); and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA. The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2018 and related directives were presented by MD. Hasan Shahriar, Co-ordinator, PROGGA. A documentary titled ‘Tobacco and Heart Disease’ was shown in the program. The event was moderated by Nadira Kiron, Chief Reporter, ATN Bangla and Co-convener of Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA). Renowned journalist Muzammil Husain presided over the program.