PROGGA, ATMA urge govt to pass Tobacco Control Ordinance in first session
Research and advocacy organisation PROGGA and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) on Wednesday called on the government to enact the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law during the first session of parliament to strengthen public health protection and curb tobacco-related deaths.
The demand was made at a joint press conference held at the National Press Club in the capital.
Speakers at the event said tobacco use continues to pose a serious public health challenge in Bangladesh, claiming nearly 200,000 lives every year.
They noted that the combined impact of tobacco consumption and production causes an estimated economic loss of about Tk 87,000 crore annually, which is more than twice the revenue generated from the tobacco sector.
According to the speakers, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults aged 15 and above currently stands at 35.3 percent. They warned that without stronger legislation and enforcement, the health and economic burden caused by tobacco will continue to grow.
The speakers also said the ruling party had pledged in its election manifesto to adopt effective policies to address non-communicable diseases linked to tobacco use.
Enacting the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law during the first parliamentary session would help prevent young people from becoming addicted to emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices, while also discouraging the use of traditional tobacco products.
Among those who spoke at the event were Kawser Rahman, chief reporter of the Daily Janakantha; Md. Monir Hossain Liton, head of online (Bangla) at the Daily Times of Bangladesh; Mortuza Haider Liton, convenor of ATMA; Mizan Chowdhury, co-convenor of ATMA; and ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA.
The event was hosted by Nadira Kiron, co-convenor of ATMA, while Hasan Shahriar, head of programmes at PROGGA, presented the key points.
