Dhaka: Experts at a workshop here on Saturday said smoking is the number one cause of laryngeal cancer in Bangladesh.

If smoking can be checked, the deadly disease will be largely reduced in Bangladesh, was the message delivered at the inaugural session of the two-day workshop held at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

The 2nd Head & Neck Surgery Workshop 2017 on 'Carcinoma Larynx and Management Update' began at Shaheed Dr Milon Hall of the university, said a press release.

BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Kamrul Hasan Khan was present as the chief guest at the inaugural session, while it's Pro-Vice Chancellors Prof Md Shahidullah Sikdar and Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed and Dean of Surgery Faculty Prof Kank Kanti Barua were the special guests.

Chairman of Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery of BSMMU Prof Kamrul Hasan Tarafder presided over the inaugural function, while Chief of Head & Neck Division Prof Belayat Hossain Siddique delivered the welcome speech.

Besides, Prof AHM Zahurul Haque, Prof Abu Yusuf Fakir and Dr Md Mosleh Uddin, among others, addressed the function.

Alongside 300 local ENT surgeons, two Head and Neck surgeons and one oncologist from Indian Tata Memorial Hospital participated in the workshop.