Strict enforcement of Tobacco Control Act (TCA) was stressed at a seminar organized by WBB trust, a non-government organization, in the city on Sunday. Speakers at the seminar urged the government to strictly implement the law to discourage people from the use of tobacco which is injurious to health.The government officials and policymakers should not attend any programme organized by the tobacco companies in the country, a participant opined.

WBB Trust organized the seminar on "Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3" in conference hall of Divisional Commissioner in the Rajshahi metropolis on 06 November 2016.Divisional Commissioner Abdul Hannan addressed the discussion as chief guest while Additional Commissioners Munir Hossain and Sultan Abdul Hamid spoke as special guests with Director of WBB Trust Gaous Pearee in the chair. Dr. Ashish Kumar Saha, Director-Health and Dr. Nilufar Ferdous, Civil Surgeon of Rajshahi division; Salima Sawar, Executive Director of ACD was also present in the seminar.

Programme Manager of WBB Trust Syeda Anonna Rahman moderated thefunction. She informed that the article 5.3 of FCTC of the World Health organization (WHO) should be strictly followed to keep tobacco control initiatives free from tobacco company interference.She said public health issues should be kept from Tobacco Company's influence. It will reduce deaths and disabilities and tobacco related costs.

During her keynote presentation on "Article 5.3 of FCTC of WHO" and "Sustainable funding for tobacco control", Sharmin Akter, Project Officer of WBB Trust, laid emphasis on capacity building of government officials and NGO representatives on Article 5.3 of the FCTC to frustrate campaign of tobacco companies for influencing the people for tobacco use.In this connection, she urged the government to punish tobacco companies for violating the law.She said Article 5.3 of FCTC is the key safe-guard for public health and tobacco control. As this convention is mandatory for Bangladesh, the government and concerned authorities should follow article 5.3 of FCTC. We have to adopt preventive measures to ensure public health care. We should ensure sustainable funding not being depending on foreign aid or loan.

Among others, officers from Department of Youth Development, Department of Agriculture Extension, District Sports Office, District Information Office, District Civil Surgeon Office, Islamic Foundation and BATA member organizations working in several districts of Rajshahi division were also present in the seminar.