Bangladesh losses over Tk 30,000 crore yearly
Bangladesh is facing economic loss of Taka 30,570 crore or 3.6 billion US dollars in a year due to use of tobacco, said a study titled, ‘Economic Cost of Tobacco Use in Bangladesh: A health cost approach.’
“Bangladesh has been facing economic losses due to tobacco related illness and premature deaths…Only the financial loss is 30,570 crore or $ 3.6 billion US dollars annually that is 1.4 percent of the national income (GDP) of the fiscal year 2007-18,” said the study on Saturday.
In the year 2013, about 1.26 million premature deaths occur due to tobacco related diseases, which is 13.5 percent of the country’s total death, it added.
The study was conducted by Bangladesh Cancer Society, American Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK and the Department of Economics of Dhaka University. The findings of the study were revealed at a programme at Dhaka Club in the city.
Children are the most affected due to tobacco. More than two million children are being subjected to indirect smoking, it added.
The study said the environmental and health risk of tobacco cultivation, the threat of food security, threat of fire and damage, environmental pollution and other losses were not measured due to poor farmland use in tobacco cultivation.
State Minister for Health Dr M Murad Hassan was present as chief guest while National Professor Brigadier General Abdul Malik, Health Secretary Mohammad Asadul Islam, former Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Nasiruddin Ahmed, President of Bangladesh Cancer Society Prof Mollah Obdullah Baki, Director of American Cancer Society Professor Dr Nigar Nargis, Cancer Research-UK representative Preisila Tiga, Coordinator of National Tobacco Control Cell (Joint Secretary) Khalilur Rahman were present, among others.
