Staff Reporter:
Tobacco works as a major impediment towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. In particular, tobacco frustrates SDG Target 3.4 which is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third within 2030.
In Bangladesh, 71pc of all deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer, with tobacco use being a major contributing factor. On average, tobacco claims the lives of 442 individuals every day. With a view to achieving SDGs and preventing such massive loss of lives and building a tobacco-free generation, there is no alternative to strengthening tobacco control law.
Experts said this Saturday during a roundtable titled “Building a Tobacco-Free Generation: Citizens’ Perspectives on Strengthening TC Law”, organized jointly by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) held at CIRDAP Auditorium, Dhaka.
In his speech as the chief guest of the event, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, former caretaker government adviser and prominent economist, said, “The harms of tobacco are multifaceted. Since the current government is undertaking reforms in many sectors, the amendment of the tobacco control law would be a signature reform for the government.”
Professor Dr. Golam MohiuddinFaruque, President, Bangladesh Cancer Society (BCS), said, “We have listened to the woes of the victims. We do not want to hear such dreadful experiences anymore. To safeguard the future generation, the draft amendment of the tobacco control law needs to get the nod as soon as possible.”
Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, public health expert and president-elect of Public Health Association, said, “There is no alternative to strengthening tobacco control law to deal with the prevalence of NCDs. I urge the government to ensure quick passage of the amendment.”
