PROGGA, ATMA urge govt to turn tobacco control ordinance into law
Speakers at the event said tobacco claims nearly 200,000 lives annually in Bangladesh
PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance ( ATMA) today (11 March) urged 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 reduce tobacco-related deaths in Bangladesh.
The call was made at a press conference jointly organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia auditorium of the National Press Club today (11 March).
Speakers at the event said tobacco claims nearly 200,000 lives annually in Bangladesh, while the health and environmental impacts of tobacco use and production cost the national economy around Tk87,000 crore each year — more than double the revenue generated from the tobacco sector.
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They added that tobacco use among adults aged 15 and above currently stands at 35.3%, warning that without stronger tobacco control legislation, the public health and economic burden would continue to rise.
According to the speakers, the proposed amendment, if enacted 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.
They also noted that the ruling party had pledged in its election manifesto to adopt effective policy measures to control non-communicable diseases caused by tobacco use.
Among the discussants at the event were Kawser Rahman, Md Monir Hossain Liton, Mortuza Haider Liton, Mizan Chowdhury, and ABM Zubair, along with representatives from several anti-tobacco organisations.
Nadira Kiron hosted the programme, while Hasan Shahriar presented the key points of the press conference.
