Natore: A total of 1,61,000 people die annually in Bangladesh due to the use of tobacco, said Subhashish Mohanta, National Consultant of Bangladesh Blind Mission, while presenting a keynote paper at a workshop here today. ‘Globally, Bangladesh accounts for 1.3% of total tobacco production and ranks 13th in terms of land used for tobacco cultivation,’ he added.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mohanta emphasized that tobacco products contain over 4,000 harmful chemicals, including nicotine, arsenic, DDT, tar, formalin, and bitumen, with 43 of these chemicals conducive to cancer development. The day-long workshop, titled “Harmful Effects of Tobacco Use in Bangladesh and Ways to Overcome It,” aimed to raise awareness and explore strategies to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040.
The event was inaugurated by Faraji Ahmad Rafiq Babon, President of Natore Press Club, and organized by the non-governmental development organization Bangladesh Blind Mission. Khandaker Abedul Islam, Manager of Bangladesh Blind Mission, presided over the opening session, while Nasir Tareq, Organizer of Bangladesh Blind Mission, delivered the welcome address.
Presenting the keynote paper, Mohanta also highlighted the detrimental effects of tobacco farming, including the reduction of agricultural land and increased healthcare expenditure. He stressed that the use of tobacco must be reduced to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, while tobacco control laws must be enforced.
The workshop, held under a project named “Raising Awareness to Reduce Tobacco Harm in South Asian Countries,” saw the participation of 25 media professionals working in the Natore district.