Reza Mahmud :
Tobacco-related deaths and the burden of medical treatment costs are rising in Bangladesh, while some government officials are negotiating in favor of the tobacco industry, emphasizing the importance of revenue generation from this sector.
Experts argue that the costs incurred by the government for treating tobacco-related diseases far exceed the revenue earned from the tobacco industry.
Sources indicate that approximately 161,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases in Bangladesh. About 37 million adults use tobacco, and 38.4 million are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, including workplaces and public transport.
A study conducted by Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest independent cancer research organization, revealed that the Bangladeshi government earns less from tobacco industries than it spends on medical treatment for tobacco-related diseases.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) collects around Tk 22,000 crore from the tobacco industry, while the medical treatment costs for tobacco-related diseases exceed Tk 30,000 crore annually.
Public health experts and anti-tobacco advocates are calling for urgent amendments to existing tobacco control laws to prevent premature deaths caused by tobacco and to protect public health. Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq, a former adviser to the World Health Organization (WHO), stated, “The study shows a deficiency of Tk 8,000 crore between revenue earned and costs incurred for tobacco-related diseases.
The government should judiciously charge additional fees to tobacco companies and utilize the funds to support victims of tobacco use. Moreover, the government should be vigilant against pilferage and corruption among relevant officials.”
He added, “If the judiciary is used with proper monitoring and supervision, it can significantly contribute to minimizing tobacco use and the associated suffering.”
Public health expert Dr. Lenin Chowdhury highlighted that tobacco-related deaths are increasing in Bangladesh, posing significant risks of cancer and other lethal diseases, even among children and non-smoking individuals.
“According to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Bangladesh aims to reduce tobacco use to below 5% by 2040. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive roadmap must be developed to impose higher taxes and stricter restrictions on the tobacco sector,” he advised. He also suggested implementing a health tax on tobacco companies to assist families affected by tobacco-related illnesses and deaths.
Mostafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Lead Policy Advisor for the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids (CTFK), emphasized the need for the government to enforce stricter regulations on the sale and use of tobacco products, given their significant health risks. ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), noted that effective restrictions, such as banning the sale of retail sticks of cigarettes and bidis, could help reduce tobacco use among youth.
Mizan Chowdhury, Co-convener of the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), urged the government to take decisive measures to combat tobacco-related deaths.