Dr. Asif Mujtaba Mahmud
In Bangladesh, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent the most serious yet often overlooked public health crisis. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses are now the leading causes of death in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh are caused by NCDs and a significant portion of these deaths are preventable.
One of the biggest, common, and scientifically proven risk factors behind these diseases is tobacco use. Therefore, tobacco control is not just about reducing smoking; it is a powerful national strategy to prevent heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
In this context, the “Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025,” approved on 25 December 2025, marks a timely and significant step for protecting public health. It is not simply a routine legal change; rather, it is an evidence-based policy action aimed at addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The extent of the damage is clearly reflected in the data. According to Tobacco Atlas (2025), nearly 200,000 people die prematurely each year in Bangladesh due to tobacco-related diseases. The economic impact is equally alarming. The annual financial loss from healthcare costs, lost productivity, and premature deaths caused by tobacco use amounts to approximately BDT 39,173 crore far exceeding the government’s revenue from the tobacco sector. In other words, tobacco is not economically beneficial; it is a long-term financial and human loss for the country.
Data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2017) show that 35.3% of adults in Bangladesh use tobacco. Meanwhile, the Tobacco Atlas (2025) estimates that more than 21.3 million adults aged 15 years and above are directly involved with tobacco use. Protecting this large population requires strong and modern legislation, something reflected in the new ordinance.
One of the most significant features of the ordinance is the complete ban on emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and heated tobacco products (HTPs). Although these products are often marketed as “less harmful,” global research shows that attractive flavors and aggressive digital marketing are drawing young people into nicotine addiction. Studies published in respected journals such as JAMA Pediatrics and BMJ Open have found that e-cigarettes and vaping can act as a gateway to smoking among youth. Early nicotine addiction significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer later in life. In this context, the ban is a responsible and forward-looking decision to protect future generations.
The ordinance also prohibits the display of tobacco products at points of sale. Research shows that visible tobacco displays in shops increase curiosity and acceptance among young people, especially those who have not yet started smoking. Removing these displays will reduce the chances of initiation and help prevent addiction before it begins. It will also decrease the social acceptability of tobacco use, contributing to long-term reductions in tobacco-related diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Another landmark step is the removal of designated smoking areas (DSAs) in public places and public transport. Scientific evidence clearly shows that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), secondhand smoke significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. Eliminating smoking spaces in public areas will protect not only smokers but also children, pregnant women, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. This is not just a health policy—it reflects social responsibility and a commitment to protecting lives.
In addition, increasing the size of pictorial health warnings on tobacco packages to 75% is a transformative public health measure. International research and findings from the Tobacco Atlas show that large, graphic warnings are especially effective in communicating risks to people with low literacy and marginalized communities. These warnings do more than provide information—they create a strong psychological impact that discourages initiation. In many countries, the introduction of graphic warnings has significantly reduced tobacco uptake among youth. Therefore, expanding pictorial warnings is not simply regulatory compliance; it is a strategic public health intervention to protect the next generation.
Overall, the ordinance provides a comprehensive and effective policy framework for controlling NCDs. It will also contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030.
There is no room for inaction neutrality on this issue—it is clearly a matter of life and death. What is needed now is political commitment and swift action. In the interest of public health, this ordinance should be passed into law at the first session of the 13th National Parliament. Delay will mean more deaths, more disease, and greater economic loss. To protect the nation and future generations from the deadly grip of tobacco, there is no alternative to passing this law. ###
The writer is Secretary General of the Bangladesh Lung Foundation.
