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DUSHANBE, May 5, 2010, Asia-Plus — Campaign to regulate mobile phone use has been launched in Tajikistan.
Billboards and banners for advertising cellphones are being dismantled in Dushanbe and national TV channels have been broadcasting programs noting that mobile phone use represents a long-term health risk, particularly to young children.
We will recall that speaking at an April 19 government session, President Emomali Rahmon ordered media to explain health hazards of cellphone use to the population. Besides, during his annual address to parliament, Rahmon noted on April 24 that each of cellphone holders spends some 50.00 somoni per month for cellular communications services, while an average monthly wage in the country is 355.00 somoni.
Representatives from local cellular operators say they have not yet received explanations from municipal authorities about removal of outdoor advertisements.
In the meantime, Shavkat Saiodv, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor’s office, told Asia-Plus today that the mayor has not signed any resolution on removal of the outdoor advertisements of cellular operators, functioning in the country, from the streets.
“Proceeding from president’s address to parliament, the mayor recently gave a verbal instruction to relevant municipal services to restrict outdoor advertisements of cellular operators in the city,” Saidov said, adding that that instruction is not aimed against activities of cellular operators in the city and it does not apply to advertising materials posted in media.
Commenting on this situation, Ghafour Irkayev, the head of the Association of Cellular Operators of Tajikistan, has told Asia-Plus that “these actions by municipal authorities were a great surprise to us.” “We do not understand why the municipal authorities made such a decision, because the cellular operators have advertised their services according to the country’s legislation, on the basis of fair competition,” Irkayev said.
He stressed that the cellular companies do not advertise cellphones, they just advertise their cellular communications services.
According to him, such actions of the Dushanbe authorities might negatively affect further development of the cellular communications in the country. Moreover, outdoor advertisements are a good source of replenishing local budgets, Irkayev noted. “Such restrictions will affect advertising market rather than the cellular companies themselves,” he said.
Irkayev stressed the Association of Cellular Operators of Tajikistan cannot agree with such a decision of the Dushanbe authorities. “We need time to examine all issues and know motives for these actions of the Dushanbe authorities,” said he, “” We live in civilized society and all issues must be solved in a civilized manner.”
10 cellular operators now faction in Tajikistan, however, some of them are nearing bankruptcy because of negative impacts of the global financial crisis, Irkayev added.
Mobile phones are used for a variety of purposes, including keeping in touch with family members, conducting business, and having access to a telephone in the event of an emergency.
It is to be noted that there exists a growing body within the scientific community which believes mobile phone use represents a long-term health risk, particularly to young children. Certain countries restrict the use and sale of cell phones to minors for this reason. Besides, some schools limit or restrict the use of mobile phones.
