As the world observes World Cancer Day today (Wednesday), research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) on Tuesday urged the incoming parliament to pass the amended Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 during its first session to effectively address the growing cancer burden in Bangladesh.
Cancer remains one of the two leading causes of non-communicable disease (NCD) deaths both in Bangladesh and globally, health experts said.
Citing a 2025 study conducted by Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), PROGGA said nearly 46 percent of all cancer cases in the country are linked to tobacco use, including both smoking and smokeless forms.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory, an estimated 116,598 people died from cancer in Bangladesh in 2022, while 167,256 new cases were diagnosed in the same year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 30 to 50 percent of cancer deaths can be prevented by avoiding tobacco consumption.
Marking World Cancer Day 2026, ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, said there is no alternative to passing the Tobacco Control Ordinance during the first session of the upcoming parliament to curb tobacco-related cancers.
“Timely enactment of the ordinance is crucial to protect public health and reduce preventable cancer deaths in Bangladesh,” he said.
