Terming tobacco as a financial burden for Bangladesh, speakers at an event called on all concerned to play their role for preventing the use of tobacco products.
Citing statistics of World Health Organization (WHO), they said tobacco causes a substantial economic burden for Bangladesh, totaling an estimated USD 3.6 billion annually. Besides, there are many incidents of tobacco-related diseases and deaths, which resulted in economic losses for people, they said, says a press release.
Mentioning about agriculture's pivotal contribution to the country's economy, they said that tobacco is being cultivated on 1.8 lakh hectares of agriculture land at the moment and if it continues, it may create a food crisis for the country in the future.
They made the observations while addressing an opinion exchange workshop with doctors in Rajshahi city.
Bangladesh Blind Mission (BBM), a NGO working on health and disability issues, organized the workshop on the harms and remedies of smoking and tobacco products at the conference hall room of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital recently.
The event was jointly conducted and facilitated by renowned epidemiologist Shamsal Islam and renowned development consultant Subhashish Chandra Mahanta.
Brigadier General F.M. Shamim Ahmed, Director of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH), was present as the chief guest, while Dr. Hasanul Hasib, Deputy Director of RMCH, attended as the special guest.
Presided over by Khandaker Abedul Islam of Bangladesh Blind Mission, the programme was moderated by Khandaker Mohammad Nasiruzzaman and Tarek Mahmud of BBM.
A total of 25 doctors were present at the programmme.
The speakers called on physicians to play their role to help achieve the target of tobacco free country by 2040, by checking the use of tobacco products for the sake of country's economic protection.
Physicians are regarded with respect by people and also they have great influence among people because of their position in the society. Mentioning about the negative effects of tobacco products, the doctors can persuade their patients to quit the tobacco products, they said.
Besides, if the doctors use the social media and other platforms to highlight the bad effects of the tobacco products, it would raise awareness, motivating people to quit the tobacco products, they said, urging the doctors to come forward in the greater interest of the nation.
The participating doctors made a number of recommendations for making the country tobacco free.
The recommendations are: Counseling patients on tobacco, not to smoking in open places, strict enforcement of laws on smoking, and buying, sale and production of tobacco products, counseling with children/family members about the harmful effects of smoking, rewarding people to quit smoking, imposing higher taxes on tobacco products, strict enforcement of the relevant laws, and making people aware through advertisements.
