360 tobacco users vow to quit the habit
At least 360 tobacco users of Bonkishor village in Charghat upazila yesterday vowed to quit tobacco. In recognition of their commitment, they were given free eye treatment and blood sugar level tests.
A voluntary organisation “Ora 11 Jon” (they are eleven) organised the daylong programme at its library premises in the village, some 30 kilometres off Rajshahi city.
“Today (Friday) is the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011 and our organisation's name is Ora 11 Jon. We selected this day marking the similarity,” said Jahidul Islam, the organisation's manager.
Some 260 people aged between 25 and 65 years were given free eye treatment while 100 others aged over 40 years were provided blood sugar level tests. Around half of those treated were females, said the organisers.
“I was moved by the campaign and decided to quit tobacco,” said Muntaj Ali, a 40-year-old farmer.
Jahidul said their six-month-long campaign to stop tobacco use in the village was hampered due to “massive distribution of bidi and cigarettes during the last union council election.”
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