Combating tobacco consumption
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) was observed in the country yesterday as elsewhere across the world highlighting the health and additional risks associated with tobacco uses, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. This years theme for the day was Tobacco Attacks Heart: Stay away, Save Lives. It does not augur well that the government has to spend more money in the health sector than it earns from the tobacco companies as revenue. There is not a single positive aspect of tobacco use while its negative sides are galore.
Tobacco use is the second cause of deaths globally (after hypertension) and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the annual death toll from the global epidemic of tobacco use could rise to eight million by 2030. In the absence of the enforcement of the law banning smoking in public places, many people are smoking in public places exposing themselves and the others to serious health hazards. Consumption of tobacco causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases. Bangladesh is more vulnerable to the mortality because here cigarettes are cheaper than other countries.
There is no alternative to executing the amended tobacco control law properly to free the public health from various non-contagious diseases caused by tobacco uses. The smokers do not know what a fatal blow they are inflicting on their health and the health of others around them through this lethal habit. The people suffering from tobacco consumption related diseases have to spend a lot of money for medical treatment. It is a sheer drainage on the family budget.
The government has imposed taxes on the production of tobacco. It may discourage tobacco farming to some extent. What is needed is imposition of maximum taxes at a flat rate on all tobacco products to discourage tobacco production. Besides, adoption of the national tobacco policy and strict enforcement of the tobacco control laws to get rid of the tobacco catastrophes is needed.
Campaign against the detrimental impact of tobacco consumption should be strengthened. The media can play due role in this regard. Apart from ban on smoking on certain places, advertising, promotion and sponsorship related to tobacco will have to be prohibited in all print and electronic media. More stern measures should be taken to discourage tobacco consumption further in the interest of public health. It will be a great achievement if the country can be freed from tobacco menace before the year 2040.
