Central Board meeting: Control of smoking & consumption of tobacco discussed

The Central Board of Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Products held a meeting (1/2024) at the Office No (4) of the Ministry of Health In Nay Pyi Taw at 9:30 Am on 9th April and the Union Minister for Health Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win gave an opening remark.

In his opening remark, the Chairman of the Central Board of Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Products Union Minister for Health Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win said that smoking and consumption of tobacco products cause the coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease and respiratory problems etc. Non-Communicable diseases.

It's found out that due to the systematic restriction on the cultivation of tobacco and distribution of cigrettee and tobacco products by the developed countries, the cultivators of tobacco and distributors of cigrettee and tobacco products are making their investments targeting developing countries.

As the cultivation of tobacco has to use the pesticides and fertilizers excessively, it causes the soil erosion and the cultivated land can be transformed into desert resulted in causing worse shortage of food. Myanmar signed WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003 and the Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Product Law was enacted and issued necessary orders and directives.

The Central Board was formed under the law by the Union Government. As using of electronic smoking devices such as newly emergence of E-Cigrettee affects the health, it’s still needed to set the necessary policy, plan and legal provisions to prevent the youth from using electronic smoking devices.

Next, the Secretary, member of the Central Board clarified work implementations and the attendees gave necessary discussion and suggestions. The clarifications and discussions were coordinated and the decisions was made from the meeting and the Chairman of Central Board gave a speech of conclusion.