20 May 2020
Independent Online/UNB

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday urged the authorities concerned to suspend production, supply, marketing, and sale of all kinds of tobacco products in Bangladesh to help fight against coronavirus.

The Health Services Division of the ministry issued a letter to the Industries Ministry in this regard, asking to implement the request and suspend the special permissions given to the tobacco companies recently allowing them to run their businesses.

According to the letter, the special permit issued by the Industries Ministry to the tobacco companies allowing them to produce, supply and market their products has made the situation complex when the HSD is trying its best to identify and treat Covid-19 patients.

Although the authorities banned mass gathering and movement from one place to another to limit transmission of Covid-19, the tobacco companies are disobeying the instruction under the special permission, it added.

The HSD also cited India as an example for the suspension of tobacco products. 

During the COVID-19 disease, the lung is massively attacked, but the damage does not always stop there. Many recovered patients have presented partially reduced lung function as a late consequence.