A delegation from research and advocacy organisation PROGGA and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) on Sunday praised the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its role in strengthening tobacco control laws and protecting public health.
The delegation met Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain at his office at the Secretariat on Sunday and presented him with a letter of appreciation for his role in the passage of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026.
During the meeting, the health minister said the ministry remained committed to taking all necessary steps to strengthen tobacco control and protect public health.
“The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already sent a written proposal to the Ministry of Finance to increase taxes and prices on all types of tobacco products,” he said.
Representatives of PROGGA and ATMA said provisions included in the amended law — such as the removal of designated smoking areas, the ban on tobacco sales around educational institutions and hospitals, and restrictions on tobacco advertisements on digital platforms — would play a positive role in safeguarding public health.
However, the delegation expressed concern over the exclusion of provisions banning e-cigarettes, vaping devices, nicotine pouches and other new-generation tobacco products from the amended law.
They warned that the omission could increase the risk of nicotine addiction among young people.
The delegation also noted that around 37.8 million people in Bangladesh currently use tobacco products, while tobacco-related diseases claim nearly 200,000 lives every year.
They stressed the need for effective enforcement of the amended law alongside immediate measures against e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products.
The delegation further urged the health ministry to take strong initiatives to ensure effective tax and price increases on all tobacco products in the upcoming national budget so that such products become less affordable for young people.
Among those present at the meeting were ATMA Convener Mortuza Haider Liton, Co-convener Nadira Kiron, members Md Shafiqul Islam and Altaf Hossain, and PROGGA Director Md Monowar Hossain.
