WHO disseminated report on Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2008--

The MPOWER package

The World Health Organization Bangldesh Country Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched report on Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2008 The MPOWER package in Dhaka today at Sheraton Hotel with a call for combating the harmful effect of tobacco use.

The WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2008 is the most successful data collection effort to date in tobacco control at the global level. It provides essential data representing more than 99% of the world's population. It includes country and regional data on tobacco. The Bangladesh data was validated by the ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Mr Uzzwal Bikash Dutta, the  Joint Secretary (WHO & PH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was the Chief Guest while Chairman, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation – Mr Shafique Alam Mehdi; Joint Secretary Ministry of Agriculture-Mr  Ataul Haque Molla; Professor (Dr) Md. Abul Faiz, Director General, Directorate General of Health Services and National Professor Nurul Islam were present as the special guests. Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol, WHO Representative to Bangladesh presided over the ceremony. Ms Nurjahan Begum Deputy Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provided the welcome address and Dr M. Mostafa Zaman, NPO(NCD) presented the key note speech on the report.

In his speech Uzzwal Bikash Dutta, the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that for the first time, we have solid data to raise our voice against the tobacco epidemic. We always are scared of epidemics like cholera, SARS, HIV/ AIDS or very recent avian influenza but the silent epidemic that is killing millions of people in front of our eyes, doesn’t make us alert enough to combat it. The epidemic poses a long-term economic threat to countries and may slow their development. If the epidemic worsens, the economic losses in highly populated developing countries like Bangladesh will be severe.

The WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol informed that the report outlines the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures that reflect and build on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This landmark new report presents the first comprehensive worldwide analysis of tobacco use and control efforts. It provides countries with a roadmap to reverse the devastating global tobacco epidemic that could kill up to one billion people by the end of this century. “To protect people from tobacco smoke, the tobacco control act has clearly declared public places and public transports as smoke free. However we need to aim for 100% smoke free environment for our people and I am sure MPOWER package will provide guidance to achieve that” she added.

This year National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has won the Global Award on the World No Tobacco day. The WR to Bangladesh Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol handed over the crest and certificate to the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The meeting was participated by representatives from the Government, NGOs, Civil society, media and youth groups.