One hundred and fifty renowned oncologists of the country have urged the government to amend the Tobacco Control Act and increase the tax on tobacco products to protect public health.

The oncologists, including Dr MA Hai, director of Bangladesh Cancer Society Hospital and Welfare Home, Dr Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, project director of the Bangladesh Cancer Society, Dr Qamruzzaman Chowdhury, director of medical services and department head of radiation oncology at Ahsania Mission Cancer and General Hospital, Dr Syed Akram Hossain, senior consultant of clinical oncology and radiotherapy at Square Hospital, Dr AMM Shariful Alam, senior consultant and head of the department of clinical oncology at Ahsania Mission Cancer and General Hospital, made this request in a joint statement issued recently.

The cancer specialists said tobacco is linked to six of the eight leading causes of preventable death worldwide. The various health risks associated with tobacco use such as cancer, heart diseases, strokes, breathing problems and rotting feet and physical complications, including cancer of the oesophagus due to the use of smokeless tobacco – 'jorda and shada pata' – are no longer unknown to anyone. 

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 35.3 percent of adults (37.8 million) in Bangladesh still use tobacco products, and about 38.4 million adults who do not smoke are exposed to second-hand smoking in various public places, workplaces and public transport.

Tobacco use increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer by 57 percent and other cancers by 109 percent. Because of this, more than 1.61 lakh people die prematurely in Bangladesh every year.

"In such a situation, initiatives should be taken to reduce tobacco consumption by increasing the price of tobacco products. This will protect public health," the oncologists said.

According to the data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Bangladesh's per capita national income in 2021-22 increased to $2,591 from $2,554 in 2020-21. However, prices of cigarettes either remained almost unchanged or increased slightly, making them more readily available.

Also, the sale of single sticks of bidis (small, thin, hand-rolled cigarettes) is making tobacco products more accessible. So, the tendency of smoking among teenagers and young people is gradually increasing, and people with low income are encouraged to smoke more instead of being discouraged. 

"So, the sale of single sticks of bidis should be banned by law, which has already been done in many countries of the world. This can also be done by amending existing tobacco control. It is also important to increase the price of cigarettes through taxation," the oncologists said.

"The current tobacco tax structure in Bangladesh is very complex and is failing to play an effective role in reducing tobacco consumption, making cigarettes much cheaper and more readily available. So, smokers can opt for cheaper cigarettes instead of quitting smoking. So, the tax structure should be streamlined to simplify it so that it can play an effective role in reducing tobacco use."