World Health Organisation observing the situation found that smokers are vulnerable to coronavirus and have a role to play in spreading it. However, in Bangladesh people are seen publicly smoking or spitting after consuming beetle leaf.
In this situation, MP from Gaibandha-1 constituency Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, President of Tobacco Control and Research Cell of Dhaka International University, sent a letter to Inspector General of Police for preventing smoking and eating beetle leaf in public places of the metropolitan areas.
Farhana Zaman Liza, Research Assistant at PCRC, Dhaka International University (DIU), confirmed the matter to the Bangladesh Post. She said that the letter was sent recently.
Researchers said that corona virus can spread through spit and cough and smokers are 14 times more likely to be infected with the virus.
Additional Director General of the Department of Health (Administration) Prof Dr. Nasima Sultana in health bulletin said, “Those of you who are smokers, quit smoking immediately. Because smoking increases the risk of contracting Covid-19.”
Among the people of Bangladesh, there is a tendency to take ‘Jorda’, ‘Gul’, tobacco products, and they spit everywhere after consuming them. Which will further increase the corona infection.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1976, a person can be fined Tk 100 for spitting, or smoking in public place.
In this situation, the MP requested the IGP to take strict measures to ban Beetle leaf, Jarda and Gul consumption in all public places and transports as per the metropolitan law and to stop smoking in public places.
Meanwhile, MP from Dhaka-9 constituency Saber Hossain Chowdhury earlier sent a letter to Health Minister Zahid Maleque to ban the production, distribution and sale of bidi-cigarettes in this Corona situation.
Cigarette companies are continuing their activities with the permission of the Ministry of Industries. Smokers are vulnerable to the virus, despite the World Health Organization's observation the ministry allowed them to do so. MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury has called for revoking such permission from the Industries Ministry in his letter.
