A “Death Clock”, displaying the number of people dying in the country of tobacco related diseases every day, was launched in the capital’s Bijoy Sharani yesterday.
First of its kind in Bangladesh, the clock was launched by Progga, an anti-tobacco campaigning organisation, with the support of the government, said a press release.
It was aimed at raising awareness against tobacco consumption and urging lawmakers for a stricter anti-tobacco law.
The clock displayed a tally of 20,529 people who have died due to tobacco related diseases since August 27 last year till yesterday.
“Further delay in passing a stricter anti-tobacco law will result in more deaths,” said Taifur Rahman, advocacy and media co-ordinator of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
On this, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu said the revised law will be passed in the winter session of the parliament due to start this month.
The Tobacco Control Act was passed in the country in 2005 and it was revised in 2009.
A draft for further revision of the law will be proposed in the upcoming parliamentary session.
It will include stricter provisions, including Tk 100 fine for any individual smoking in public and Tk 100,000 fine for advertisements of tobacco products.
-With The Daily Star input
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=264017
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