Photo: BMU

DHAKA, April 23, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh has archived a tremendous progress in reducing tobacco use, but stricter policies and social awareness are more needed to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the World Health Organization (WHO), public health experts said at a discussion here today.

“Tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless) is a major health risk for the people of Bangladesh and is a matter of concern . . . The public need to be involved and made aware in reducing this health hazardous issue,” Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Development) Professor Dr. Md Mujibur Rahman Howlader of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU).

The programme entitled ‘Dissemination of Research Findings: Trends in Tobacco Use in Bangladesh (2029-2022) With Projections to 2030)’ was organized at Shaheed Dr. Milton Hall on the BMU campus with Professor Dr. Md Mujibur Rahman Howlader was in the chair.

Dr. Mujibur said the current rate of reduction must be accelerated by strengthening tobacco control programmes while special initiatives must be taken to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco.

Noting that the mass-media can play a major role in this connection, the expert said it is mandatory to highlight the level and risks of tobacco being used separately at the urban and rural levels as well.

Despite a fall in the rate of tobacco use in Bangladesh, achieving the target set by the WHO by 2030 still remains a challenge before the nation, it was told there.

Executive Editor of the Bangladesh Medical University Journal Prof Dr. M Mustafa Zaman presented the key-note paper at the event.

Health and Family Welfare Ministry’s Additional Secretary Sheikh Momena Moni, Joint Secretary (Global Health) of the Department of Health Services Md Mamunur Rashid, Dean of the Faculty of Preventive and Social Medicine and Chairman of Department of Public Health and Informatics of the  BMU Professor Dr Md Atiqul Haque, among others, spoke there.

The key speaker in his findings said although tobacco use, especially in Bangladesh, has decreased in the last 13 years, achieving the target by 2030 will be challenging.

“Practical research needs to be conducted, especially with special attention to policies and laws, so that the reasons for the insufficient reduction can be identified,” he added.

Referring to gender-based analysis on tobacco usages, Dr. Zaman said the decrease in tobacco use among men is slightly higher than those of the women while tobacco use has declined in both urban and rural areas, the rate of decline is more pronounced in urban areas, said a release.