Call to pass tobacco control law in first session of parliament

Staff Reporter

Leaders of various professional organizations on Monday called for the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to be passed into law in the first session of the 13th National Parliament, stressing that swift parliamentary approval is crucial for its effective implementation.

The demand was raised at an exchange meeting titled “A Landmark Achievement in Protecting Public Health—The Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025 and the Way Forward,” organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission at Dhanmondi in the capital.

Speakers said the ordinance, approved by the interim government, marks a significant step in reducing tobacco-related diseases and deaths. But they warned that its impact would remain limited unless it is enacted as law without delay.

They urged the next elected government to maintain the current commitment to public health and ensure the ordinance does not remain confined to paper.

Speaking as chief guest, Sheikh Momena Moni, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said the tobacco sector generates around Tk 40,000 crore in annual revenue, but the country suffers losses exceeding Tk 87,000 crore due to healthcare costs, productivity losses, and premature deaths linked to tobacco use.

She said the ordinance was approved to prevent this imbalance and save lives, adding that parliamentary passage is essential for its sustainability.

Former BCIC Chairman Mostafizur Rahman, speaking as a special guest, said tobacco use affects not only individual health but also families, society, and the national economy.

Citing the Tobacco Atlas 2025, he noted that more than 21.3 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco and nearly 200,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases, an average of 546 deaths a day.

Turning the ordinance into law, he said, could help prevent a large number of these deaths.

The meeting was chaired by Dr S M Khalilur Rahman, Vice President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the organization’s Tobacco Control Project, presented the keynote paper.

Among others present were Rezaul Karim Sarkar Robin, Director of AHAR Bangladesh; Badiuzzaman Badal, President of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Passengers) Association; Zakir Hossain, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Supermarket Owners Association; Nazmul Hasan Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association; Arifur Rahman Tipu of the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association; Mokaddem Hossain, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Combined Workers Federation; Alamgir Hossain Khan, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Grocery Business Association; Rafiqul Islam Babul, President of the National Employees Federation; and leaders of various professional organizations.