Staff Reporter : Among the 10 leading causes of death in Bangladesh, 04 are related to lung and respiratory illness, of which tobacco is a major contributing factor. Smokers constitute about 80 percent of all males battling lung cancer. A strong tobacco control law is a prerequisite to reducing the risk of lung diseases. On the occasion of World Lung Day 2025, pulmonologists, oncologists, public health experts, journalists and other experts said these today (27 September 2025, Saturday) during a webinar titled “Strong Tobacco Control Law to Safeguard Lung Health”, organized by research and advocacy organization, PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress). The theme of this occasion, celebrated annually on 25 September all over the world, is “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life”.
It was informed during the webinar that tobacco use and passive smoking are the foremost contributing factors to certain lung diseases including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis and asthma. According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults (15 y/o and above) stands at 35.3 percent (37.8 million in number). 8.1 million Bangladeshis fall victim to secondhand smoke exposure at the workplace. At least 25 million adults are exposed to such smoke while using public transport. On average, Tobacco-related diseases claim 161,000 lives a year in Bangladesh. High prevalence of tobacco use is making the overall situation even more precarious.
It was also informed that in Bangladesh, over 40 percent of non-communicable disease-related deaths are attributed to lung and heart diseases. Strengthening the Tobacco Control Law is among the most effective measures to reduce this burden.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare took the initiative to amend the Smoking and Tobacco Products (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2013 in 2021. However, the draft of the amendment is yet to be finalized due to various reasons. During the webinar, speakers urged the government to ensure quick passage of the amendment.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, the President of the Bangladesh Cancer Society, said, “The casualty rate and medical expenses for all sorts of cancers, including lung cancer, are quite high. The suffering and lamentation of the people battling cancer must be brought to the policymakers. This may prompt them to prioritize the amendment of tobacco control law.”
Dr. Asif Mujtaba Mahmud, Secretary-General of Bangladesh Lung Foundation, said, “There is no alternative to reducing tobacco use to ensure lung health.”
Reaz Ahmad, Editor, the Dhaka Tribune, said, “It is the responsibility of the mass media to extensively increase coverage of the amendment initiative so that the policymakers realize why amending tobacco control law is so important.”
Morshed Noman, Editor, SpotlightNews245, said, “Media always plays a positive role in facilitating formulation of tobacco control policy. This trend will continue, we believe.”
ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA presided over the webinar. Mehedi Hasan, Head of Digital Media, PROGGA hosted the event, whereas Md. Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA presented key findings. Representatives from a number of media outlets, anti-tobacco organizations and civil society attended the webinar.