One lakh 61 thousand people die every year due to the disease. Amendments to existing tobacco control laws are needed to prevent these deaths. Because, the number of deaths due to tobacco will continue to increase as time goes by.
The speakers said these things at the seminar titled ‘Physicians’ Role in Tobacco Control: Bangladesh Perspective’ organized in the hall of National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute on Saturday (February 24).
President of National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, Professor Dr. presided over the seminar. Abdul Awal Rizvi. Hospital Director Brigadier (retd.) Professor Dr. welcomed the speech. Yunushur Rahman.
The main article was presented by the head of pathology and research department of National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute Dr. Sohail Reza Chowdhury.
He said, about 40 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco. 3 crore 84 lakh adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places including workplaces and public transport.
Sohel Reza Chowdhury said that heavy use of tobacco products is one of the main causes of heart disease, cancer, chest disease and many other preventable diseases and deaths. To protect public health from these harms of tobacco, existing tobacco control laws should be amended quickly. Otherwise, prevention of this premature death due to tobacco will not be possible.
In the seminar, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Central Office Secretary Professor Dr. Moha Sheikh Shahid Ullah said, BMA usually works with doctors but gives the highest importance to public health. Therefore, BMA is working tirelessly to implement the Prime Minister’s promise of a tobacco-free Bangladesh in order to protect public health from the dangers of tobacco. People from all walks of life must work together to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh.
The special guest of the event, Bangladesh Cancer Society President Prof. Golam Mohiuddin Farooq said that doctors can play a leading role in tobacco control. They can create awareness among patients and encourage them to quit tobacco use. Then the public will be discouraged from using tobacco.
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Regional Director of South Asia. Mahin Malik said that the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh is a shining example of how the country’s doctors can influence the society in tobacco control. At the same time, the impact on government policy-making regarding tobacco control is unparalleled.
In the closing speech of the seminar, the president of National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, Professor Dr. Abdul Awal Rizvi said that tobacco damages all parts of the body. Which we as doctors and in our hospitals are widely understanding. That is why I am working on tobacco control with the young doctors of my country.
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) Bangladesh lead policy advisor at the seminar. Mustafizur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Cancer Society Professor Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Farooq, leaders of Thanthi Central Parishad, representatives of Platform Doctors Foundation, representatives of anti-tobacco organizations and various media journalists were present.
AAM/KSR/JIM
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