Advocate Zainul Abedin, a member of parliament from Barishal-3 and chairman of the parliamentary standing committee, has expressed optimism that the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025 will be turned into law during the first session of parliament to protect public health, particularly that of women, children, and youth.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled “The Importance and Necessity of Strengthening Tobacco Control Law to Protect Public Health from the Harmful Effects of Tobacco”, organised by Nari Maitree at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Monday.
Zainul Abedin said, “We believe that human life is far more valuable than revenue. With this consideration, the Tobacco Control Ordinance has been thoroughly reviewed by the committee and will be turned into law within the stipulated time in compliance with parliamentary obligations.”
Speakers at the meeting said 35.3% of people aged 15 and above in Bangladesh use tobacco (BBS, 2017), the highest rate in South Asia. According to the Tobacco Atlas 2025, nearly 200,000 people die annually from tobacco-related diseases in the country—an average of about 546 deaths per day.
A study by the Health Economics Institute of the University of Dhaka shows that in the 2024–25 fiscal year, revenue from the tobacco sector was around Tk 41,000 crore, while the total economic loss due to tobacco-related deaths, health damage, and environmental harm stood at about Tk 87,000 crore annually—more than double the revenue.
Bangladesh signed the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003 and enacted the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act in 2005. To align the law with evolving needs and WHO guidelines, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 has been issued.
The ordinance proposes several key measures, including banning smoking in public places and transport, prohibiting display of tobacco products at points of sale, banning all forms of advertising and promotion, restricting sales within 100 metres of educational institutions and hospitals, and increasing pictorial health warnings on packaging from 50% to 75%.
Once enacted, the ordinance is expected to reduce premature deaths and healthcare costs, while discouraging tobacco use among adolescents and youth.
Speakers also warned that tobacco companies are introducing new nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches under the guise of “harm reduction” to attract young users.
Tasfia Nowrin of the Anti-Tobacco Youth Forum said, “Around 28% of Bangladesh’s population is youth. Ignoring them will hinder national progress, especially as tobacco companies primarily target this group.”
In her closing remarks, Shaheen Akhter Dolly, executive director of Nari Maitree, said tobacco harms not only individual health but also families, society, and the economy.
Participants strongly demanded that the Tobacco Control Ordinance be enacted into law in the first session of parliament.
