Health adviser stresses need for tobacco-free nation to curb disease
She urged everyone to come forward and help protect the country from the dangers of tobacco
Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum has underscored the importance of creating a tobacco-free Bangladesh to prevent diseases, highlighting that the government's healthcare expenditure for treating tobacco-related illnesses is far more than the revenue generated from tobacco companies.
"If we eliminate tobacco use and tobacco products, we can significantly reduce the cost of treating diseases like cancer and other tobacco-induced illnesses. To focus on disease prevention, we must build a tobacco-free Bangladesh," she said while addressing a discussion at Osmani Memorial Auditorium today (31 May) marking World No Tobacco Day 2025.
The health adviser further said, "Despite signing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the government representatives are holding positions in the tobacco company boards, facilitating their business growth. This contradiction is unacceptable."
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"We must speak out clearly. If we remain silent now, it will never be possible," she added.
Highlighting the exploitation of workers by tobacco companies, she said the companies exploit our labourers and contaminating our land, air, and environment. "We cannot accept this under any circumstances."
Calling for raising voice together against tobacco, Nurjahan stressed the amendment of the Tobacco Control Act for its effective enforcement, saying work is going on for the amendment.
She added "Tobacco companies are targeting our youths and teenagers in various ways to attract them to their products... we must confront these challenges together."
The health adviser urged everyone, from government and private sectors to individuals to come forward and help protect the country from the dangers of tobacco.
