Bangladesh: Smokers'' Number up by 8pc in 1 Year

Source from:  Financial Express Bangladesh‎  05/19/2014

The number of smokers in the country increased by eight per cent from 41 per cent to 49 per cent in last one year, a survey revealed in the city Sunday, reports BSS.

The rise in the number of young smokers was alarming at 12 per cent from 57 to 69 per cent in one year, the survey report said adding that of the youth, 98 per cent smoke cigarette and 2.0 per cent bidi.

A private organisation named Campaign for Clean Air released the study titled "Effects of tobacco and tobacco products in the country" at a function at Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu spoke on the occasion as the chief guest while convener of the organisation Aronno Anwar moderated the function.

Inu expressed his concern noticing that the number of young smokers is increasing. "If the young generation is addicted to smoking, it will affect the country's socio-economic condition," he said.

The minister stressed the need for increasing social awareness as well as strict implementation of law to prevent addiction to tobacco.

The minister urged the ministry concerned for making law for banning production of bidi and suggested raising the cigarette price to reduce the number of smokers in the country.

The study claimed that the low price of cigarette and its easy availability and non-implementation of anti-smoking law are the reasons for the increasing trend of smokers in the country. Enditem