BARAIGRAM, NATORE, June 5: An estimated 161,000 people die every year in Bangladesh due to tobacco-related diseases, with 18 deaths occurring every hour, speakers said at a discussion meeting marking World No Tobacco Day in Baraigram Upazila of Natore.
They further stated that 42.7 per cent of the adult working population is exposed to passive smoking at workplaces, while 24 per cent are exposed during travel in public transport. In addition, around 61,000 children suffer from various illnesses caused by second-hand smoke.
According to the data presented, the country has around 19.2 million smokers using smoked tobacco, while 22 million people use smokeless tobacco products. Speakers warned that tobacco use significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung and throat cancer, and bronchitis.
The information was shared at a discussion meeting held on Wednesday in the Upazila Parishad conference room.
The meeting was presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Laila Jannatul Ferdous, while the keynote presentation was delivered by Dr ATM Shafayat Shams Roki, Assistant Surgeon of the Upazila Health Complex.
Among others, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Jubayer Jahangir, Jowari Union Parishad Chairman Ali Akbar, Baraigram Union Parishad Chairman Momin Ali, Livestock Officer Dr Nure Alam Siddiqui, Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Mahdi Hasan, Secondary Education Officer Selim Akter, Acting Upazila Education Officer Rehana Parveen, Upazila Social Services Officer Rezaul Karim, Acting Head Teacher Khademul Islam, Senior Journalist Saifur Rahman, and Baraigram Press Club President Ohidul Haque spoke at the event.
Speakers urged stronger enforcement of tobacco control laws and increased public awareness to reduce tobacco-related deaths and health risks in the country.
