Divisional Commissioner Mr. Helaluddin Ahmed presided over the seminar. Among others, Mr. Abul Bashar Talukder, Police Super, DIG Range Dhaka; Md. Saifullah Rasel, District Commandant, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP, Dhaka; Md. Kazi Emdadul Haque; Additional District Magistrate, Dhaka; Dr. Nazib Ahmed, Deputy Director (Health), Office of Director (Health), Dhaka; Zakir Hossain Khan, Deputy Civil Surgeon, Dhaka; Md. Abul Kalam, Additional Deputy Director, Agriculture Extension Department; Md. Tarikuzzaman, District Sports Officer, Dhaka; Sheikh Md. Mahbubus Sobhan, Program Officer, NTCC; AKM Azizul Haque, District Information Officer, Dhaka discussed in the seminar. WBB Trust’s Program Manager Syeda Anonna Rahman moderated the seminar and key note presentation given by Project Officer Sharmin Akter Rini.

Speakers said, Article 5.3 provides guidelines to ensure transparency and accountability in tobacco control programs to prevent tobacco companies’ influence. Campaign programs have to be conducted about article 5.3 for the sake of public interest and implementation of tobacco control law.  Govt. officers’ Government officials should be held responsible to follow the regulations. Letter will be issued to all DC for the implementing article 5.3. 

Mentioning challenges of tobacco control, speakers urged to form social movement to save the youth as they are the vulnerable victims of tobacco. The economic, social, health and environmental consequence of tobacco use should be brought under consideration instead of the amount of tax earned from tobacco industries.  To ensure good public health, steps need to take by giving priority in the whole health system. Avoiding the dependency on foreign aid or loan, we have to make sure sustainable funding for health care. So high taxes have to be imposed on unhealthy foods i.e. cold drinks, fast food, junk food including tobacco and use the earned money for health care services.