Youth Forum of Dhaka Ahsania Mission has called for strengthening tobacco control laws to build a healthy and tobacco-free young generation. This demand was raised on the final day of a two-day training workshop, organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission on Wednesday (25th September 2024). The training aimed to enhance the future young leaders’ strategies, capacity building, and leadership development in tobacco control.
The event was graced by the presence of Prof. Dr. Md. Ashraful Haque, Vice-Chancellor of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, and Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Lead Policy Advisor of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).
In his keynote address, Professor Dr. Md. Ashraful Haque emphasized that to create a tobacco-free future generation; young people must be protected from the harm caused by e-cigarettes in addition to conventional tobacco products. He also stressed the importance of raising awareness among youth and amending the tobacco control law to ban e-cigarettes.
Md. Mostafizur Rahman mentioned that tobacco companies are attracting young people by setting up smoking zones in restaurants, which also exposes non-smokers to secondhand smoke. He urged that the law should be revised to prohibit both e-cigarettes and smoking zones.
Md. Abdus Salam Miah, Programs Manager of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) Bangladesh, pointed out that tobacco companies are targeting young people through various tactics. He highlighted that the youth are the driving force of a country, and by equipping them with the right knowledge and tools, it is possible to create a healthy, tobacco-free future generation.
The welcome speech was delivered by Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Among other distinguished attendees were Md. Abdus Salam Miah, Programs Manager of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) Bangladesh; Humaira Sultana, Communications Manager; Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director of Health and WASH Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Md. Shariful Islam, Project Coordinator and Marzana Muntaha, Coordinator of the Dhaka Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Well-being.