Bangladesh continues to experience a high level of tobacco industry (TI) interference in its policy arena. The Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025 ranks Bangladesh among the countries with the highest level of TI interference. In fact, the country records the highest degree of such interference in all of Asia. The majority of TI interference incidents were aimed at the amendment process of the tobacco control law, initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
These research findings were unveiled today (29 December 2025, Monday) at an event jointly organised by research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA).
In the 2025 Index, Bangladesh scored 69 out of 100. The lower the score, the better the compliance with Article 5.3. The study covered a total of 100 countries, in which Bangladesh ranked 66th. Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives ranked 43rd, 59th, 54th, 45th, and 39th respectively. Brunei performed the best (1st, score 14), while the Dominican Republic performed the worst (100th, score 98).
The research for the Bangladesh country report, as part of the Global Industry Interference Index, was undertaken by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress). The current report is based on information available in the public domain on incidents that took place between April 2023 and March 2025. The study assesses how the government addressed and responded to tobacco industry interference using the FCTC Article 5.3 Guidelines. The higher the score, the greater the extent of interference indicated.
Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the study also received support from the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) and the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC). PROGGA has been releasing Bangladesh country reports since 2018.
According to the study findings, Bangladesh adopted the FCTC Article 5.3 Guidelines in 2008. However, although nearly two decades have passed, the country has yet to formulate and implement a code of conduct in line with FCTC Article 5.3 for government offices. As a result, the tobacco industry continues to interfere in the amendment of tobacco control laws, maintains unnecessary interactions with policymakers, enhances brand image through CSR programmes, and enjoys financial and other benefits.
The study revealed that the tobacco industry has been persistently lobbying, conducting so-called research, holding roundtable discussions and press conferences, organising media and online petition campaigns, enhancing brand images through CSR initiatives, and employing a wide range of unethical tactics. The government has been found to be particularly lethargic in disclosing its interactions with the tobacco industry. The government’s shareholding in a multinational tobacco company, along with the presence of former and current government officials on the company’s board of directors, constitutes a grave conflict of interest for policymakers.
The study recommends that the government formulate and implement a code of conduct in line with FCTC Article 5.3 for all government bodies; finalise the Smoking and Tobacco Products (Usage Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025; bar the entry of new foreign and local tobacco companies and related investments into Bangladesh; and prohibit the establishment of new tobacco-related factories in the country’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs).
It also urges policymakers to exclude cigarettes from the list of essential commodities by amending the Essential Commodities Act 1956; divest government investments from tobacco companies; and formulate and implement a simple tobacco pricing and tax policy in line with WHO FCTC Article 6 to reduce tobacco demand.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, former caretaker government adviser and prominent economist, said, “The amendment ordinance of the Tobacco Control Law has received final approval from the Advisory Council, which is very good news. Now, the ordinance must be published in the Gazette as soon as possible. We do not want to see any further interference at this stage.”
The discussants at the event included Dr Mary Assunta, Head of Global Research and Advocacy at the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC); Md Mostafizur Rahman, former Chairman of BCIC; Md Ruhul Quddus, former Coordinator of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC); Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director of WBB Trust; Syed Mahbubul Alam, Senior Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies; Mortuza Haider Liton, Convenor of ATMA; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA.
The event was hosted by Nadira Kiron, Co-Convener of ATMA, while Md Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programmes, presented the key findings. Representatives from various anti-tobacco organisations and civil society leaders also attended the event.
