Seventeen anti-tobacco organisations, alongside students from the University of Dhaka, staged a symbolic coffin procession and rally on Wednesday demanding stronger tobacco control measures to prevent the daily toll of 442 tobacco-related deaths.
Participants marched through the university campus carrying symbolic coffins to illustrate tobacco's devastating impact.
Speakers said that 35.3% of Bangladesh's population aged 15 and above use tobacco, resulting in approximately 442 deaths daily and 400,000 disabilities annually. Additionally, 42.7% of the population suffers from second-hand smoke exposure, significantly harming public health.
Highlighting economic impacts, speakers cited an American Cancer Society report showing that in fiscal year 2017–18, tobacco-related expenses cost Bangladesh TK 30,560 crore, surpassing the sector’s revenue of TK 22,810 crore.
Speakers demanded closing existing legal loopholes, stricter enforcement against multinational companies violating advertising bans, and immediate adoption of proposed amendments to tobacco-control laws.
Notable speakers included representatives from Dhaka Ahsania Mission, PROTTASHA, National Heart Foundation, WBB Trust, and Nari Maitree.
The event concluded with participants pledging continued advocacy for a tobacco-free Bangladesh, emphasising that timely legislative action would protect future generations and significantly contribute to achieving national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
