Every day, 357 people and over 130,000 annually lose their lives due to tobacco-related illnesses (Tobacco Atlas 2025).Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Bangladesh. To prevent these premature deaths, the existing Tobacco Control Act must be amended.
On Monday, 8 December 2025, the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Lung Foundation, and Bangladesh Cancer Society issued a joint statement emphasising that strengthening the Tobacco Control Act is the only viable measure to safeguard public health.
The statement highlighted that 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh are due to non-communicable diseases, with tobacco use being a major contributor. Tobacco causes heart disease, cancer, and long-term respiratory illnesses.
Research by the Bangladesh Cancer Society shows that approximately 1.5 million adults suffer from tobacco-related diseases each year. Second-hand smoke causes around 25,000 deaths annually and affects nearly 61,000 children.
From an economic perspective, research by Johns Hopkins University indicates that in the 2023–24 fiscal year, government revenue from tobacco amounted to Tk40,000 crore, while health and environmental costs reached Tk84,000 crore—more than double the revenue.
The organisations noted that since the interim government initiated the process to amend the Tobacco Control Act, tobacco companies have been actively spreading misinformation to protect their commercial interests.
However, public health must take precedence. Strong enforcement of the law will reduce premature deaths, ease the burden on the healthcare system, and protect the national economy.
The statement also pointed out that tobacco damages the respiratory system, increases the risk of cancer and tuberculosis, and targets youth through aggressive marketing. Protecting future generations requires smoke-free public spaces, a complete ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, and strict regulation of e-cigarettes and vaping products.
Additionally, the joint statement outlined six recommendations aligned with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the recommendations included eliminating designated smoking areas in all public spaces and public transport to protect non-smokers; banning the display of tobacco products at points of sale; prohibiting corporate social responsibility activities by tobacco companies; implementing effective measures to protect children and adolescents from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes; stopping the retail and loose sale of tobacco products and Increase pictorial health warnings from 50% to 90% of packaging.
The statement is signed by Professor Dr Khandakar Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh; Professor Dr Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, President of the Bangladesh Cancer Society; and Dr Asif Mujtaba Mahmud, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Lung Foundation.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
