Tobacco plays the largest role in preventable death

Staff Reporter :

Tobacco played the largest contribution to the preventable death toll, globally, it claims over 8 million lives each year, not only loss of lives, tobacco but also wreaks havoc on the socio-economic, and environmental pillars of society, Speakers said at a two-day journalists’ workshop titled “Media for Tobacco Control in Bangladesh” jointly organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and ATMA (Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance), at BMA Bhaban on 15-16 January 2025.

Mass media has played a vital role in creating awareness about the harmfulness of tobacco and protecting society from the disaster and havoc of life and wealth.

In preventing multifaceted losses caused by tobacco, a vigilant role must be maintained on issues such as strengthening relevant laws, adopting robust tax and price measures, and ill tactics of tobacco companies.

A total of 27 journalists from print, television and online media outlets attended the workshop.
It was informed that the prevalence of tobacco use among the 15-year-old and above demographic stands at 35.3 percent.

Tobacco-related illness claims 161,000 lives each year in Bangladesh, causing hundreds of thousands of disabilities. A 2019 study, conducted by the American Cancer Society, reveals that in FY 2017-18, the financial loss, incurred by medical expenses and loss of productivity, was Tk 30,560 crore, an amount much higher than the revenue generated (Tk 22,810 crore) from tobacco. In this way, tobacco is posing a growing threat to the public health, economy and environment of Bangladesh.

Speakers also said that tobacco works as a major impediment towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). There is no alternative to strengthening tobacco control law to achieve SDGs by 2030.

Speakers urged the government to ensure swift passage of the amendment, one that is free from interference from tobacco companies. The tobacco taxation structure of Bangladesh is faulty which has rendered tobacco products cheaper and more affordable.