As part of the month-long program on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day (May 31), 'We Prevent Smoking (ADHUNIK)' organized a discussion and colorful rally at the National Press Club on May 1.
The theme of this year's World No Tobacco Day is: "Unveiling the Mask of Attraction: Confronting Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction".
A large part of the country's population is working class, and the rate of tobacco use among them is relatively high. ADHUNIK organized this discussion and rally on Labor Day with the aim of increasing awareness among working class people. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Chairperson and human rights activist Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury was present as the invited guest at the event.
The program began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the performance of the national anthem.
The welcome speech was delivered by National Professor Dr., the founding president of ADHUNIK. Nurul Islam's daughter and renowned cardiologist Professor Dr. Nina Islam. In her speech, she highlighted the background of the establishment of Adhikari, its historical journey, various activities, achievements and the significance of the current theme.
In addition, Mohammad Abdul Jabbar, Executive Secretary of Adhikari, highlighted the background of the initial phase of the formulation of the Tobacco and Smoking Control Act in Bangladesh.
The newly elected President, Professor Dr. Hasina Banu, in her speech, thanked the founding President, National Professor Dr. Nurul Islam remembered the contribution of the youth and pledged to take "We Prevent Smoking (ADHUNIK)" further forward with the help of the youth. He said that today's event is to convey the message about the ill effects of tobacco to the workers as the rate of tobacco use is high.
The World Cancer Society Bangladesh and the organization's president Dr. Syed Humayun Kabir provided overall support to the said event.
The event was also attended by:
Professor Dr. Harun R. Rashid, Chairman, Kidney Foundation Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Kaniz Maula, Distinguished Medicine Specialist
Professor Dr. Harun Ur Rashid - Ophthalmologist and Surgeon
VC Professor Dr. Asif Mizan, Darussalam University Somalia
Kaiser Hamid - Football Star and Founding Member
Md. Niamat Ali, Founding Member and Brand Ambassador
Barrister Omar Sadat - Legal Advisor of ADHUNIK and President of Gulshan Society
Sheikh Manjujur Bari - Chief Editor, Unnayan Barta
Sekender Hayat Bahadur is one of the members
Dr. Zahid Ahmed Chowdhury is the Editor, Dainik Biplobi Barta
Shahriyar Ibn Zaman - Member representing the youth society and Joint Secretary General of Baridhara Society Professor Dr. Kaniz Maula, in his speech, remembered National Professor Dr. Nurul Islam and highlighted various achievements of ADHUNIK. Professor Dr. Harun Or Rashid shed light on the harmful effects of tobacco on kidney disease.
Founding member of ADHUNIK and project advisor of World Cancer Society Bangladesh, Md. Niamat Ali, in his speech, said that ADHUNIK's groundbreaking efforts have brought significant success in the anti-smoking and anti-tobacco movement in this country.
Notable achievements of ADHUNIK since its establishment in 1987:
1. Declaring Bangabhaban smoke-free
2. Declaring the Prime Minister's Office a smoke-free area
3. Banning tobacco advertisements on radio and telephones
4. Including articles on the ill effects of tobacco in school textbooks
5. Banning smoking on domestic flights
6. Adding warning messages to cigarette packets
7. Increasing tax on tobacco
8. Keeping air-conditioned coaches and inter-district buses of the railways smoke-free
9. All cabinet meetings, conferences and seminars to be smoke-free
10. Establishment of branches of Adhuni in various educational institutions and districts
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to anti-tobacco activities, National Professor Dr. Nurul Islam was awarded the Commemorative Medal by WHO in 1990 and 1992 and the WHO Director-General's Special Award in 2005. In addition, in 2014, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh, awarded him the World No Tobacco Day Award posthumously.
The program commemorated the contribution of SASC in the initial stage of the anti-smoking movement and expressed gratitude for the cooperation of SASC, CAT and especially the World Cancer Society.
The program concluded with a colorful rally, discussion meeting, special music performance on the harmful effects of tobacco and expressing the determination to keep the future generation free from tobacco and drugs.
