The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh organised a mini marathon in the capital this morning, calling for stronger tobacco control laws to reduce preventable deaths.

Over 200 participants took part in the event, which began in front of Zia Udyan, circled the road near Gono Bhaban, and concluded back at Zia Udyan, according to a press release.

Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, inaugurated the marathon. Prof Khondker Abdul Awal Rizvi, president of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, chaired the programme.

Photo: Collected

Special guests included Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury and Sheikh Mohammad Jobaid Hossain, joint secretary of the ministry.

Citing a 2018 WHO report, speakers said tobacco use causes 161,253 premature deaths annually in Bangladesh, while the cost of treating tobacco-related diseases exceeds Tk 420 billion each year.

They emphasised that strengthening tobacco control laws through necessary amendments would help reduce preventable deaths and lower associated medical expenses.