Online Desk: Every year 1,61,000 people die due to tobacco-related diseases in Bangladesh. So, there is no alternative to reform tobacco control law to prevent these deaths, said speakers at a seminar on Saturday.

They were speaking at a seminar titled “The Roles Of Physicians In Tobacco Control: Insights From Bangladesh” held at the hall room of National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute in Dhaka.

President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh Professor Dr. Abdul Awal Rizvi presided over the seminar while the director of the hospital Brigadier (retd.) Professor Dr. Yunushur Rahman delivered the welcome speech.

Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of pathology and research department of National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, said about 40 million adults in Bangladesh are tobacco users. Around 3.84 crore adults are exposed to passive smoke in public places including workplaces and public transport.

Massive usage of tobacco products is one of the leading causes of heart disease, cancer, breast disease and many other preventable diseases and deaths, he said.

Existing tobacco control laws need to be amended urgently to protect public health from these harms of tobacco. Otherwise it won’t be possible to prevent this premature death owing to tobacco, Dr Reza added.

Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) is working relentlessly to build a tobacco-free Bangladesh in order to protect public health from the dangers of tobacco, Dr Moha Sheikh Shahid Ullah, office secretary of the central committee of Bangladesh Medical Association said.

“People from all walks of life must work together to make it successful,” he added.

Bangladesh Cancer Society President Prof. Golam Mohiuddin Faruque said that doctors can play a leading role to control tobacco. They can create awareness among patients and encourage them to quit tobacco.

Dr Maheen Malik, South Asia Regional Director of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids said, 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, she added.

President of National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh Professor Dr. Abdul Awal Rizvi said that tobacco damages every organ of the human body.

“As doctors, when we treat the patients, we understand it extensively. This is why we are working on tobacco control with the young doctors of our country.”

Among others, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK)-Bangladesh Lead Policy Advisor Mo Mustafizur Rahman, leaders of Sandhani Central Council, representatives of Doctors Foundation and anti-tobacco organizations were also present.