Tobacco control to protect public health: Role of Physicians"- the webinar with Bangladesh Lung Foundation
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The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh organized a webinar with the participation of physicians from Bangladesh Lung Foundation on 29 April 2021 titled “Tobacco control to protect public health: Role of Physicians”. The webinar was presided over by National Professor Brigadier (Rtd.) Abdul Malik, founder and president, National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh and moderated by Professor Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Epidemiology & Research department, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute. Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Mahbubus Sobhan, Registrar (Clinical Research), NHFH&RI presented the keynote. The tobacco control law amendment and raising tobacco tax were the focus area of discussion.
Panel discussion session was flourished by Professor Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Ex-Director, National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Executive Member, Bangladesh Lung Foundation; Professor Asif Mujataba Mahmud, Secretary General, Bangladesh Lung Foundation; Dr. Adnan Yusuf Choudhury, Associate Professor, Respiratory Medicine, Member Secretary, COVID 19 Management Committee, Mugda Medical College, Executive Member, Bangladesh Lung Foundation; Dr. Shahjada Tabrez, Pulmonologist, National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Executive Member, Bangladesh Lung Foundation and Mr. Mostafizur Rahman, Lead Policy Advisor, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK-Bangladesh), Former Additional Secretary, Cabinet Division
In the panel discussion session, physicians from Bangladesh Lung Foundation brought out tremendous information on respiratory diseases in relation to smoking. This is really alarming that nowadays a type of lung disease starts in the people at the age of 20 to 30 years old which is caused by smoking. They delivered two presentations regarding the connections of lung disease, tobacco use and COVID 19. There was an in-depth discussion about lung diseases and tobacco use.
Panelists opined that Bangladesh has a law to control and decrease tobacco uses, but that is not functioning well. TC law implementation needs to be strengthened. In addition, to control demand side effective taxation is the most important and pivotal issue. Panelists took the issue with due status as they are regularly dealing and experiencing the respiratory problem caused by tobacco use including second hand smoking. Participating physicians expressed their eagerness to continue their efforts to fight against tobacco menace.
Representatives from NHFB and CTFK participated in the webinar. It was telecasted live on Facebook and more than one thousand people watched the program over Facebook.