Speakers at a sit-in-programme called upon the government to increase the price of tobacco related goods including Bidi-cigarette to protect the life of people from the harmful side of tobacco.

They also called for taking necessary initiatives to control the tobacco cultivation and imposing ban on its cultivation in any new area.

The sit-in-programme was held in front of the National Press Club in the city, jointly organised by Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance and Protyasha Madok Bhirodhi Sangathan.

Presided over by General Secretary of Protyasha, Helal Ahmed, the programme was addressed, among others, by programme officer of WBB Trust Aminul Islam Sujan, Executive Director of Nirapad Development Foundation Ibnul Said Rana, Executive Director of Basti Unnyan Karma Sansthan Hasinur Rahman, Executive Director of Sonar Bangla Foundation Dr Md Jasim Uddin, Executive Director of Sarda Arifur Rahman Bhiyan Murad, Amin Hasan and Hamidul Islam Hillol.

The speakers said that tobacco cultivation in different areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is increasing day by day. The cultivation in there has to be stopped, they added.

They demanded imposing ban on tobacco cultivation in those places where it is being cultivated.