The number of smokers in the country increased by eight percent from 41 percent to 49 percent in last one year, a survey revealed here.
The rise in the number of young smokers was alarming at 12 percent from 57 to 69 percent in one year, the survey report said adding that of the youth, 98 percent smoke cigarette and 2 percent bidi.
A private organization named “Campaign for Clean Air” released the study titled “Effects of tobacco and tobacco products in the country” at a function held on Sunday at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity here.
Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu spoke on the occasion as the chief guest while convener of the organization Aronno Anwar moderated the function.
Inu expressed his concern seeing that the number of young smokers are increasing. “If the young generation is addicted to smoking, it will affects the country’s socio-economic condition,” he said.
The minister stressed the need for increasing social awareness as well as strict implementation of law to prevent addiction towards tobacco.
The minister urged for making law for banning production of bidi and suggested raising the cigarette price to as high as Taka 25 to reduce the number of smokers in the country. The study claimed that low price of cigarette and its easy availability and non-implementation of anti-smoking law are the reasons for the increasing trend of smokers in the country.
