Youth conference demands strengthening of tobacco control law

A youth conference titled "Strengthening Tobacco Control Law is Urgently Needed to Protect Youth Health" was held at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of the University of Dhaka.

The event was organised by the Development Organization of the Rural Poor-DORP in collaboration with Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Nari Maitree, and the National Heart Foundation.

Over 200 students from various educational institutions-including the University of Dhaka, Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, BUP, Dhaka College, Government Bangla College, Khilgaon Model College, and members of the Dhaka University Journalists' Association-participated in the event.
Chief Guest Dr. Abu Mohammad Zakir Hossain, chairman of the Community Clinic Health Assistance Trust, stated that 68% of deaths in Bangladesh are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and tobacco use is responsible for 51% of these. Tobacco causes fatal illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Alarmingly, the mortality rate among people under the age of 35 is significantly higher in Bangladesh than in many other countries, and tobacco plays a major role in this.