Photo : TDM
Health experts have called on physicians to play a crucial role in the mission to make Bangladesh a tobacco-free nation by 2040. In a workshop organized by the Bangladesh Blind Mission (BBM) at Meghna Hall of BIAM Foundation, health professionals were urged to actively participate in the anti-tobacco campaign to combat the growing tobacco consumption in the country.
During the workshop, Dr. Subrina Ahmed from Milvik Bangladesh emphasized the influence doctors hold in society. They are trusted figures and opinion leaders, making their voices essential in educating the public about the dangers of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure. At the individual level, physicians can assist tobacco users in overcoming their addiction.
Furthermore, at the community level, healthcare professionals can advocate for and support policies that promote smoke-free workplaces and increase the availability of tobacco cessation resources. At the broader societal level, they can contribute to national and global tobacco control efforts, such as campaigns for tax increases on tobacco products.
Shamsal Islam, an epidemiologist from Ispahani Eye Institute and Hospital, shared alarming statistics during the workshop. Bangladesh has 37.8 million tobacco users, making it the sixth-largest consumer market for tobacco globally. The prevalence of tobacco use is higher in rural areas, among those with lower education levels, and from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. Moreover, men tend to use tobacco more than women.
The consequences of tobacco use are severe, with more than 126,000 deaths attributed to it in 2018, accounting for 13.5% of all deaths in the country. Secondhand smoke exposure contributed to over 24,000 deaths. Economically, tobacco use costs an estimated USD 3.6 billion annually.
The workshop highlighted the significance of healthcare professionals in curbing tobacco use. Doctors were encouraged to advise patients to quit, offer counseling, prescribe cessation medications, connect patients to quit-lines, and provide continued support to prevent relapse.
With the support and active involvement of physicians, Bangladesh aims to significantly reduce tobacco consumption and become a tobacco-free nation by 2040. The workshop saw participation from 23 doctors across the country and received guidance from esteemed figures like Prof. Dr. AHM Mustafizur Rahman and Brigadier General (retd) Khondoker Mohammad Mozammel Haque.
TDM/FMT
