Dhaka Ahsania Mission has emphasized the need to amplify the voices of youth to protect future generations from the deadly grip of tobacco and reduce its use among young people, with the goal of creating a healthy and tobacco-free nation. This call was made at a workshop titled “Skill Development Training for Young Campaigners in Building a Tobacco-Free Bangladesh,” held on Tuesday (September 24, 2024) at Dhaka Ahsania Mission’s office at Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
The workshop aimed to train young leaders on tobacco control strategies, enhance their skills, and develop leadership qualities, enabling them to play an active role in advocating for the formulation and implementation of stringent tobacco control policies across the country.
Key speakers at the event included Muhammad Mahbub Kaiser, Assistant Proctor and Associate Professor of Sociology at Dhaka University, and Imam Zafar Shikder, Director of the Youth and Volunteer Department at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.
Highlighting the importance of such workshops in shaping a tobacco-free Bangladesh, Professor Mahbub Kaiser stated that 442 people die every day in the country due to tobacco use. To halt this tragic death toll, youth voices must be strengthened to advocate for the amendment of the tobacco control law.
Imam Zafar Shikder of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society emphasized the need to raise awareness among young people about the harmful effects of not only traditional tobacco products but also e-cigarettes. He underscored the urgency of amending tobacco control laws to ban e-cigarettes and protect the youth from these dangers.
In his welcome speech, Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, remarked that young people are the driving force of a nation. By equipping them with the right knowledge and tools, it is possible to reduce tobacco use among youth and build a healthy, tobacco-free nation.
During the workshop, project coordinators Shariful Islam and Sharmin Rahman, along with Program Officer Khadijatul Kubra, conducted PowerPoint presentations, providing training on the harmful effects of tobacco use, tobacco control strategies, skill development, and leadership formation.