Bogura Correspondent

Terming tobacco as a financial burden for Bangladesh, speakers at an event called on all concerned to play their due role for tobacco cessation.

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. 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 a training programme for doctors. The training programme aimed at sensitizing them to raise awareness among the people about the negative effects of tobacco products was held at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital (SZRMCH) in Bogura district recently.

About 25 doctors of SZRMCH attended the event titled “Negative effects of tobacco and ways to prevent it”. It was held at the conference room of the college. Bangladesh Blind Mission (BBM), a NGO working on health and disability issues, organized the programme.

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.

Dr. Abdul Wadud, Deputy Director, and Dr. Al Mamun, Assistant Director of SZRMCH, were present. While inaugurating the event as the chief guest recently, Dr. Abdul Wadud called on all concerned to work together for reducing the use of tobacco products in the interest of building a better Bangladesh.

Shamsal Islam, eminent researcher and epidemiologist of Ispahani Eye Institute and Hospital of Dhaka, termed tobacco as a threat to human health, environment and the economy, saying that it is urgent to make a tobacco-free country for the sake of our national interest.

In his address, Shuvashish Mahanta, nationally renowned development consultant, emphasized on the role of the physicians, saying that they should play a pivotal role in raising awareness among people on the negative effects of tobacco products.

Khandker Abedul Islam, Admin and Finance Manager of BBM, moderated the event.