Representational Image. -Freepik

DHAKA, Mar 10, 2025 (BSS) - A delegation from research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) held a meeting with the Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat here today.

During the meeting, PROGGA-ATMA delegation informed the Commerce Adviser regarding the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s (MoHFW) initiative to eliminate designated smoking areas (DSAs) through law amendment to safeguard non-smokers from the health hazards of passive smoking. 

“A 100% smoking-free environment cannot be achieved if DSAs continue to exist. Especially, as a person when enters or stay in the smoking zones at hotels or restaurants, cigarette smoke leaks and makes all including women and children, inhale secondhand smoking,” said a press release.

It said hospitality workers also fall victim to passive smoking while providing services.

It was further informed by PROGGA-ATMA that the prevalence of tobacco use in Bangladesh is the highest among South Asian countries, with a rate of 35.3% compared to 28.6% in India and 19.1% in Pakistan. 

Tobacco related deaths and diseases works as a major impediment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)- 3 which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. 

Tobacco claims nearly 161,000 lives each year in Bangladesh. The financial loss incurred from tobacco-related deaths and diseases is much higher than the revenue earned from the tobacco sector.

Members of the delegation were Mortuza Haider Liton, ATMA convener, Nadira Kiron, co-convener of ATMA, Md. Shafiqul Islam, Business In-charge of Bangla Tribune, ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA and Md. Hasan Shahriar, head of Programmes of PROGGA.