Rules for the amended tobacco control law must be framed as quickly as possible, members of women's anti-tobacco forums and several MPs said at a dialogue titled 'Amended Tobacco Control Act 2026: expectations and achievements', organised by Nari Maitree at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday.

Speakers said Bangladesh has the highest tobacco use in South Asia at 35.3 percent, against 28.6 percent in India and 19.1 percent in Pakistan. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2017, 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco, and the Tobacco Atlas 2025 puts deaths from tobacco-related disease at about 200,000 a year.

Citing research by Dhaka University's Institute of Health Economics, they said the tobacco sector brought in about Tk 41,000 crore in revenue in FY2024-25, while deaths, health risks and environmental damage cost about Tk 87,000 crore a year. The amended law was passed on 10 April.

Nawaz Halima Arly MP said a committee has already been formed to draft the rules and urged that the work be given priority. Farida Yasmin MP said the amended law does not reflect all key provisions of the WHO FCTC, which should be considered in the rules.

Helen Zerin Khan MP said e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and single-stick sales are not properly covered and are raising the risk for young people. Selina Sultana MP said the rules must stop misuse of the conditional smoking zones allowed in public places and transport.

The meeting, chaired by Nari Maitree executive director Shahin Akter Dolly, was attended by members of anti-tobacco forums of mothers, teachers, women journalists and youth.

Source: Desh Rupantor