Dhaka: Speakers at a workshop called on physicians to play their role to make Bangladesh a tobacco-free country through raising awareness among people.      

The use of tobacco products among people is increasing in the country despite various anti-tobacco measures at the both public and the private level. Physicians are treated with respect and they have importance in the society. So they can utilize their position in anti-tobacco campaign, advising people to quit smoking, they said.      

Reminding doctors of their obligation to society, the speakers said, the doctors should make counseling to patients and their family members along with checking patients regularly. Doctors should highlight the benefits of quitting tobacco products and such campaign should be held across the country, they added.      

They came up with the remarks while addressing a consultation workshop with health professionals on present situation of tobacco cessation challenges and way forward.

Bangladesh Blind Mission (BBM), a NGO working on health, education and disability issues, organized the event at Meghna Hall of BIAM Foundation at New Eskaton in the capital today (Thursday).

The event was arranged as part of involving doctors in anti-tobacco campaign aimed at making the country tobacco free by 2040.

Highlighting the importance of a tobacco-free country, they sought the whole-hearted support from the physician community, saying said that we cannot achieve national progress as tobacco is the big obstacle to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Joel Ahmed, president of BBM, gave a welcome address, while Umme Kausar Sumona and Faria Sultana of BBM jointly moderated it.       

Mohammad Shamsul Islam, epidemiologist of Ispahani Eye Hospital, presented the key-note paper on present situation of tobacco cessation challenges and way forward, and Dr. Kaniz Afrin, deputy programme manager of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS), presented another paper on sensitizing health professionals regarding tobacco harm reduction.

About 21 physicians in Dhaka took part in the workshop.