Taxes on all tobacco products, including cigarettes, should be increased. All tobacco products cause immense harm to human health. Cigarettes contain more than 3,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic. Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke constrict blood vessels, significantly increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Smoking also causes bad breath, gum disease, and oral cancer. In addition, it increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and makes disease management more difficult.
Today, the younger generation is becoming increasingly addicted to cigarettes. Cigarette addiction is emerging as a serious social epidemic. Since tobacco products remain affordable for a large segment of the population, their consumption continues to rise. Therefore, the government should increase taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products to make them less accessible, particularly to young people. It should also strengthen regulations on the marketing and sale of tobacco products. Furthermore, strict enforcement of anti-smoking laws is necessary, and fines should be imposed on those who smoke in public places.
MD. Sahriar Sourov
Student, Islamic University, Kushtia