More than 57,000 people aged above 30 die every year due to tobacco consumption across Bangladesh, according to anti-tobacco campaigners.
The campaigners called for strict implementation of tobacco related laws in the country to discourage its production and raising people’s awareness about its harms.
The call came from the launch of an anti-tobacco programme organised by National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute and United Forum Against Tobacco (UFAT) in the city yesterday.
Speakers there quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate showing tobacco in smoking and non-smoking form causes 54 lakh premature deaths globally a year.
Over 80 lakh will die every year by 2030 in the world, 80 percent of them in developing nations, unless urgent action is taken against spread of tobacco use, they said.
Planning Minister Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandker attended the event as the chief guest with the heart foundation President Justice Chowdhury ATM Masud in the chair.
UFAT organising secretary Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury presented the keynote paper while secretary general of the forum Dr Md Serajul Islam welcomed the guests.
Currently some 43.3 percent adults in the country consume tobacco which causes heart diseases, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases.
Moreover, around 30 percent deforestation in Bangladesh is related to the tobacco processing and cultivation.
