Staff Reporter:
Health experts have called for a comprehensive approach to tackle the widespread cultivation and consumption of tobacco in Bangladesh.
They further warned that tobacco use is causing serious health problems, including cancer and other non-communicable diseases, while draining the country’s economy through treatment costs.
Speaking at a discussion titled “Tobacco Tax Proposal in the Upcoming 2025–26 Fiscal Year Budget”, organised by the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission at its head office in the capital on Saturday, the experts emphasised that taxation alone is not enough to curb tobacco use.
The meeting was presided over by Dr. Mohammad Khalilullah, Vice-President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, while the welcome speech was delivered by Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Health Sector of the Mission.
Experts present at the event included Professor Dr. Syed Akram Hussain, Member of the Health Sector Reform Commission and Coordinator of Square Cancer Center at Square Hospital; Dr. Rumana Haque, Professor of Economics at the University of Dhaka; Mainul Hasan Sohel, General Secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity; Rashed Rabbi, President of the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum; MM Badsha, Chief News Editor of Bangla TV; Ferdous Mamun, Chief News Editor of Global TV; and Md. Nazmul Hasan Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association.
Professor Syed Akram Hossain warned that tobacco use among school-going children, including girls, is increasing at an alarming rate.
He stressed that mere tax proposals are inadequate and that tobacco should be banned altogether due to its devastating impact on public health.
“Tobacco is the root cause of all diseases. The poor are becoming poorer because of the high cost of treatment for tobacco-related illnesses,” he said.
He added that Bangladesh loses around six billion dollars annually for treatment abroad, which puts a strain on the country’s economy, especially when citizens work hard to earn foreign remittances.
