DHAKA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 57,000 people die of eight fatal diseases due to smoking every year, local newspaper The Daily Star reported Friday.

    Forth-one percent smokers suffer from cancer, heart ailment, high blood pressure and other lung diseases, the newspaper quoted the speakers as saying at a discussion on Smoke Free Environment Thursday.

    Bangladesh Inland Water Ways Acting Chairman Alhaj Badiuzzaman Badal said at the discussion smoking has been prohibited in launches and water transports.

    Badal said pasting of 'No Smoking' stickers is compulsory in launches and passenger vessels from now onward. He stressed creating awareness about bad effects of smoking as well as strict enforcement of the Smoking Control Act and mobilization of a social movement against smoking both in urban and rural areas.

    The attendees also urged the journalists of print and electronic media to play their due role in creating mass awareness against smoking.