In a joint press conference, research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) urged the government to enact the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law. The parliament must ensure this in its first session to ensure protection of public health and reduce the massive number of tobacco-related deaths.
The two organizations made such demand during a press conference that took place today (11 March 2026, Wednesday) at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia auditorium of the National Press Club.
It was informed that, tobacco claims nearly 200,000 lives each year in Bangladesh. The toll on public health and environment inflicted by tobacco use and production causes the national economy a loss of BDT 87,000 crore which is more than twice the size of revenue generated from the tobacco sector. Currently, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults (15 y/o and above) stands at 35.3 percent. Against this backdrop, unless an effective tobacco control legislation is implemented, the harms and losses caused by tobacco will continue to escalate.
Speakers said, The ruling party has made a clear commitment in its election manifesto to adopt effective policy measures to control non-communicable diseases caused by tobacco use. The Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, if enacted into law during the first parliamentary session, will help prevent the youth from getting hooked on emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and vaping and discourage the use of other traditional tobacco products as well.
Among the discussants were Kawser Rahman, Chief Reporter, the Daily Janakantha; Md. Monir Hossain Liton, Head of Online (Bangla), Daily Times of Bangladesh; Mortuza Haider Liton, Convenor of ATMA; Mizan Chowdhury, Co-convener of ATMA; ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA and representatives of a number of anti-tobacco organizations. Nadira Kiron, Co-convener of ATMA hosted the event whereas Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA presented the key points.
