By Shahnaz Begum Poly

Bangladesh is grappling with a tobacco epidemic that threatens its public health, economy, and environment. This crisis extends far beyond the smokers themselves, as millions of non-smokers, particularly vulnerable populations like women and children are exposed daily to secondhand smoke. As the government moves to amend the Tobacco Control Act, the country has an opportunity to take a strong stand for the health of its citizens, especially those who are most susceptible to tobacco’s harmful effects.

Tobacco-related diseases claim over 161,000 lives annually in Bangladesh, which translates to roughly 442 deaths every day. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey of 2017 revealed that 35.3% of Bangladeshis aged 15 and above use tobacco, turning to approximately 37.8 million adults. This widespread tobacco usage has grave health implications not only for smokers but also for the nearly 38.4 million people exposed to secondhand smoke.

As a woman advocating for the health and well-being of our community, I must emphasize the serious health risks posed by exposure to secondhand smoke. This issue disproportionately affects women and children, who often have little control over their environments. Secondhand smoke significantly increases the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease, and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in children. It can also impair lung development, leading to long-term health issues. For pregnant women, the dangers are even greater, as exposure to tobacco smoke can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight, and other complications. The consequences of passive smoking are both immediate as well as long-term.

Passive smoking over time increases the risk of developing serious conditions such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The side effects of passive smoking are both immediate and long-lasting. In the short term, exposure can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, headaches, and breathing difficulties. Therefore, it is vital that we expedite the passage of the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Law.

These amendments are crucial for protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, especially women and children. The proposed changes would ban smoking in all public places, workplaces, and public transport, allowing everyone to avoid harmful secondhand smoke in shared spaces. Additionally, by prohibiting the display of tobacco products in stores, we can make it more difficult for young people to be tempted into smoking. Banning corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by tobacco companies will help prevent them from misrepresenting themselves as positive community partners while their products continue to cause harm.

Other important proposed changes include halting the sale of single cigarettes and loose tobacco, making it less affordable and accessible for teenagers. We must also ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), which present new public health threats, and increase the size of health warnings on cigarette packs from 50% to 90%, clearly highlighting the dangers of smoking.

These changes are urgently needed because children’s developing lungs and immune systems make them particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, and women frequently encounter secondhand smoke in both domestic and public settings. As a mother, I believe it is our duty to protect our children and families from the dangers of passive smoking. We can do this by advocating for stronger tobacco control measures and supporting the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Law. These amendments will not only enhance public health but also foster a fairer, healthier environment for all of us.

Implementing these amendments is essential to create a tobacco-free Bangladesh. We envision a Bangladesh where children can grow up free from the harmful effects of tobacco, where women are not exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes or communities, and where everyone has access to clean air.

Therefore, I demand the speedy passage of the amendments to the Tobacco Control Law. By working together to support these changes, we can ensure a brighter future for our families and communities.

The writer is a Co-Convenor Anti-Tobacco Mothers Forum and Member of Managing Committee, National Press Club.