Tobacco amendment approval a landmark step: Heart Foundation

The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh has welcomed the interim government's approval of the draft Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, describing it as a historic step towards strengthening public health protection in the country.

In a press release issued on Saturday, the foundation urged the government to publish the amended ordinance in the official Gazette without delay to ensure its swift implementation. The statement was signed by President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh Prof Dr Khondker Abdul Awal Rizvi.

The foundation said tobacco use remains one of the most serious public health challenges in Bangladesh, with more than 130,000 people dying prematurely each year from tobacco-related non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic respiratory illnesses. Despite existing control measures, 35.3 per cent of the adult population continues to use tobacco.

Citing research from Johns Hopkins University, the foundation noted that tobacco use and production cause annual health and environmental losses of around Tk87,000 crore—more than double the revenue generated from the tobacco sector—placing a heavy burden on individuals, families and the national economy.

The foundation described the approval of the draft amendment at the Advisory Council meeting on 24 December as a landmark decision. Prof Rizvi said the move reflects the government's strong political commitment to public health, adding that effective and timely implementation of the law would significantly reduce tobacco-related diseases and premature deaths. He also said the amendment would support Bangladesh's progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3, particularly Target 3a on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third.

The foundation expressed hope that the government would prioritise public interest by swiftly gazetting the ordinance and taking decisive steps towards building a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

Under the approved amendment, all emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, will be banned, nicotine pouches will be brought under the tobacco product definition, tobacco use in public places and transport will be prohibited, all forms of tobacco advertising will be banned, and health warnings on tobacco packaging will be increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent.