Tobacco-related aggression kills 0.16 million people each year in Bangladesh
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More than 161,000 people in the country die every year due to tobacco use or smoking, increasing the risk of lung cancer by 20 to 30 per cent.
Second-hand smoking increases the risk of heart disease in non-smokers by 25-30 per cent.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin came up with the information at a seminar on Thursday.
He addressed the seminar as the chief guest, titled "National Seminar to Support Smoke Free Environment and Tobacco Control in Bangladesh", organised by Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing at CIRDAP Auditorium in the city.
The minister said that the government is working to build a 'tobacco-free Bangladesh' by 2040.
"Therefore, public places and transport should be made 100 per cent smoke free. Educational institutions should ensure that students do not smoke. Tobacco should be socially boycotted as it is poison," he added.
He added that we must be sincere in our efforts to reduce smoking and the use of tobacco products, which are harmful to the environment, public health, and the economy.
He urged for awareness building among all levels of people, including parents, through radio, TV, print, and electronic media.
The minister also said that it is necessary to take steps to control the increasing use of e-cigarettes in the country before it reaches a dangerous level.
Parliamentarians are continuing efforts to ban the import, manufacture, sale, marketing, and use of e-cigarettes in Bangladesh and to amend the Tobacco Control Act.
Along with the government, political organisations and NGOs should make a concerted effort to build the 'Tobacco-free Bangladesh'.
Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing President and Member of Parliament Dr. Md. Habibe Millat chaired the national seminar.
Dr Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, and National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Moshiur Rahman were among those who spoke at the event.
Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Health Protection Foundation, presented the keynote paper at the seminar.