Some 57,00 people of over 30 years of age die while 3,82,000 get disabled every year in the country due to
tobacco use, said Prof. Dr Arupratan Chowdhury quoting WHO statistics.
Besides, 1.2 million people get affected by eight diseases due to tobacco consumption, he said quoting a 2004 study on tobacco influence on Bangladesh economy. Prof Dr Arupratan Chowdhury, founder president of MANAS, a group campaign against tobacco, was briefing reporters at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the city on Tuesday.
MANAS organised the press briefing on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day which to be observed today. Home Minister Shahara Khatun and State Minister for Health Captain (retd) Dr Mojibur Rahman Fakir were present as the chief guest and a special guest on the occassion.
The Home Minister formally inaugurated the website of the organisation at the programme. Quoting a WHO research, Prof Dr Arupratan said 5 million people die across
the world every year due to tobacco use and cautioned that another 25 crore people will be dying over the next 25 years due to smoking,
He said another 10 million people are feared to be dying across the world every year for tobacco consumption after 2020 and 7 million of them will be the victims in developing countries.
He put forward 10 recommendations, including full implementation of the recommendations of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, imposing 25 percent tax on cigarette and bidi and banning cigarette sale by duty-free shops.
Arupratan said the government will get more Tk 950 crore in revenue if their recommendations and proposals are implemented. Speaking on the occasion, Home Minister Shahara Khatun underscored the need for waging a social movement against the growing tobacco use across the country.
State Minister for Health Captain (retd) Dr Mujibur Rahman Fakir said it is not possible to stop every bad thing by only enforcing laws.  "There is a need for social awareness.
He emphasised strict implementation of the existing laws to control the use of tobacco.