Bangladesh becomes only Asian country to classify cigarette filters as single-use plastic:PROGGA
Citing a recent study, experts said tobacco use and production impose a combined public health and environmental cost of Tk87,000 crore annually.
Bangladesh has become the first and only country in Asia to classify cigarette filters as single-use plastic (SUP), marking a significant step towards environmental protection and stronger tobacco control.
The move aligns with Article 18 of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which addresses environmental harm arising from tobacco production and manufacturing, experts said today (14 December) at a webinar titled "Translating WHO FCTC COP Decisions into Action in Bangladesh: A Case Study", jointly organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA).
Speakers noted that the decision was adopted during the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP-10) of the WHO FCTC and was later highlighted by the Bangladesh government delegation at COP-11, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17 to 22 November.
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During the webinar, anti-tobacco activists who had attended previous COP sessions shared their experiences and insights.
Speakers also underscored the severe public health burden posed by tobacco use, which is a major contributor to cancer, stroke, cardiovascular and lung diseases, claiming an estimated 130,000 lives each year in Bangladesh.
Citing a recent study, they said tobacco use and production impose a combined public health and environmental cost of Tk87,000 crore annually—more than twice the revenue generated by the tobacco sector.
While the government has initiated steps to amend the tobacco control law to better align it with the WHO FCTC, speakers warned that delays would further exacerbate damage to public health, the environment and the national economy.
They urged the authorities to expedite the finalisation of the proposed amendments.
The webinar featured Md Mostafizur Rahman, former chairman of BCIC; Saifuddin Ahmed, executive director of WBB Trust; Iqbal Masud, director (Health and WASH) at Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Syed Mahbubul Alam, senior technical adviser at Vital Strategies Bangladesh; and Mizan Chowdhury, co-convener of ATMA. Mortuza Haider Liton, convener of ATMA, delivered the welcome address.
The session was presided over by ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA, hosted by Rokaiya Abdullah Raka, programme officer, with the keynote presented by Hasan Shahriar, head of programmes.
