41.3 million adults use both smoking, smokeless tobacco in Bangladesh
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Some 41.3 million adults currently use both smoking and smokeless (chewable) tobacco in Bangladesh, a study of the Global Adult Tobacco disclosed the figure at a discussion in the city Monday, reports UNB.
The study further says 0.7 million women smoke cigarettes and 'biris' while 13.4 million women use smokeless tobacco. Moreover, the percentage of woman tobacco smokers is higher this year than in the previous year.
The discussion marking the World No-tobacco Day- 2010 was held at National Press Club with this year's theme "Gender and Tobacco with emphasis on marketing to women".
ADHUNIK, the nation's leading anti-tobacco organisation, and the World Health Organisation jointly organised the discussion.
Presided over by founder president of 'ADHUNIK' National Professor Dr Nurul Islam, TIB trustee board member Prof Mozaffar Ahmed and National Professional Officer of WHO Dr M Mostafa Zaman were present as the chief guest and special guest respectively. Founder President of CAT (Coalition against Tobacco) and senior vice-president of ADHUNIK Amanullah Khan delivered the welcome address.
Prof Muzaffar Ahmed suggested government should raise corporate tax on profits of tobacco companies from the existing 35 per cent to 45 per cent which, in addition to bringing enhanced revenue to government, will result in decrease in share price of tobacco companies on the stock exchange.
He also pleaded for tariff to be imposed on tobacco cultivation agriculture and proposed introduction of license system for tobacco cultivation.
The study further says 0.7 million women smoke cigarettes and 'biris' while 13.4 million women use smokeless tobacco. Moreover, the percentage of woman tobacco smokers is higher this year than in the previous year.
The discussion marking the World No-tobacco Day- 2010 was held at National Press Club with this year's theme "Gender and Tobacco with emphasis on marketing to women".
ADHUNIK, the nation's leading anti-tobacco organisation, and the World Health Organisation jointly organised the discussion.
Presided over by founder president of 'ADHUNIK' National Professor Dr Nurul Islam, TIB trustee board member Prof Mozaffar Ahmed and National Professional Officer of WHO Dr M Mostafa Zaman were present as the chief guest and special guest respectively. Founder President of CAT (Coalition against Tobacco) and senior vice-president of ADHUNIK Amanullah Khan delivered the welcome address.
Prof Muzaffar Ahmed suggested government should raise corporate tax on profits of tobacco companies from the existing 35 per cent to 45 per cent which, in addition to bringing enhanced revenue to government, will result in decrease in share price of tobacco companies on the stock exchange.
He also pleaded for tariff to be imposed on tobacco cultivation agriculture and proposed introduction of license system for tobacco cultivation.