Shibani Bhattacharjee
Tobacco is a silent killer. According to Tobacco Atlas, tobacco use claims nearly 200,000 lives in Bangladesh. Over one-third of adults, or 35.3 percent, use tobacco (GATS, 2017) resulting about 1.5 million people suffer from tobacco-related illnesses. T such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory problems, and reduced fertility.
This crisis places enormous pressure on the healthcare system, national and individual fiscal health. Treating tobacco-related diseases creates a heavy financial burden, with annual economic losses reaching BDT 87,000 crore—more than double the revenue earned from the tobacco industry (Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka and Bloomberg School of Public Health). Families, especially those with low or middle incomes, often fall into debt while paying medical bills, pushing them deeper into poverty.
Against this backdrop, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, is a crucial step forward. It is more than just an amendment to existing laws; it reflects a renewed commitment to protecting public health. However, an ordinance is temporary. If Parliament does not pass it within its first session, it will expire. Failure to pass it would weaken this important safeguard. Public health is not a political issue—it is a matter of national survival.
The proposed ordinance prioritizes public health by introducing several important measures. One of the most notable provisions is the complete ban on smoking in all public places and public transport. This will protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke and help ensure a healthier public environment.
Another significant step is the requirement that 75 percent of tobacco product packaging be covered with graphic health warnings. Research consistently shows that large, visible warnings play an effective role in discouraging tobacco use.
The ordinance also seeks to ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. For years, tobacco companies have employed various strategies—often targeting young people—to promote their products. Closing these avenues will make it much easier to protect the younger generation from falling into the trap of tobacco addiction.
Additionally, the ordinance includes provisions to prohibit new and emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Although these products are often marketed as “less harmful,” in reality they are pushing young people toward nicotine addiction. This ban signals a strong commitment to safeguarding the health of future generations.
For the new government, turning this ordinance to law would send a strong message that public health is a priority. Article 18(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh makes improving health and nutrition a fundamental duty of the State. Strong tobacco control is essential to fulfilling that duty.
As a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Bangladesh has an international obligation to take action. According to SDG Target 3.4, Bangladesh has committed to reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including cancer, by one-third by 2030. To meet this target, the mortality rate is expected to be reduced to around 6 by 2030. However, according to data from the SDG Tracker (Chief Advisor’s Office, Government of Bangladesh), the mortality rate was 19 in 2018, which increased to nearly 24 in 2023. This means that, if the current trend continues, achieving the 2030 target will be impossible. This reality clearly indicates that there is no alternative to a strong tobacco control law to fulfill the SDG commitments.
Creating a tobacco-free Bangladesh is not just about reducing disease. It is about building a healthier, more productive population, lowering healthcare costs, and moving toward a fairer society. Turning the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 to Act, offers Bangladesh a vital opportunity to save lives, protect future generations, and move closer to the vision of a healthier nation.
We expect that the newly elected government will convert this Tobacco Control Ordinance into law in the very first session of Parliament.
(Writer: Ex-Additional Secretary and Convener of Nari Maitree Mothers Forum Against Tobacco)
