Shahab for joint efforts to make Bangladesh tobacco-free

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Sunday assured that his ministry would try its best to stop tobacco cultivation considering its harmful impacts on public health and environment.

“In this regard, we will work together with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,” he said.

The minister was addressing a discussion titled “Tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040 announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the harmful effects of tobacco on environment” organised at the Dhaka Ahsania Mission auditorium at Dhanmondi in Dhaka.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission, in collaboration with Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), organised the event.

Speaking as the chief guest, Shahab said everyone should work together to prevent tobacco farming as it is a threat to the environment, climate, public health and economy.

Stressing the need for giving incentives to tobacco farmers for cultivating alternative crops, he said non-governmental organisations should continue their support for and cooperate with the government's tobacco control work.

He said realising the harmful effects of tobacco, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced to stop tobacco use in Bangladesh by 2040.

To implement this visionary announcement, his ministry will provide optimum cooperation in passing further amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, Shahab said.

Additional Secretary of the health ministry Kazi Zebunnessa Begum, in her speech, said nicotine tests should be brought under the scope of government recruitment.

Renowned economist and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said tobacco destroys the national and family economies.

“The family economy is severely affected when the person dies. It also causes damage to the national economy. Their future becomes dark,” he said.

While presenting the keynote paper, Director of Health and Wash Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Iqbal Masud said 12kg of wood is required to burn one kg of tobacco.

“And one tree is cut down for 300 cigarettes while 3.7 litres of water is consumed to produce one stick of cigarette,” he said.

Chaired by Dhaka Ahsania Mission President Kazi Rafiqul Alam, the discussion was addressed, among others, by Mission’s Executive Director Shajedul Qayyum Dulal, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Bangladesh’s Lead Policy Advisor Md Mostafizur Rahman and Vice-President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Kazi Shariful Alam.