Nari Maitree congratulates approval of Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025

Nari Maitree has congratulated the Interim Government for approving the Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, describing it as a significant step toward protecting public health. Following the approval of the ordinance at the latest meeting of the Advisory Council, a joint response was issued on behalf of the Nari Maitree Mothers Forum Against Tobacco, Nari Maitree Teachers Forum Against Tobacco, and Nari Maitree Youth Forum Against Tobacco.

According to the press release, tobacco use is one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases, including cancer. There is not a single word that can be said in favor of tobacco. While smokers suffer directly from its harms, people around them are also affected as passive smokers. Data from the WHO Tobacco Atlas 2025 show that more than 29.2 million adults (aged 15 years and above) in Bangladesh use tobacco. Each year, over 130,000 people die from tobacco-related diseases—an average of about 357 deaths per day. On the other hand, tobacco use causes an annual economic loss of approximately BDT 39,200 crore. The approval of this ordinance is expected to significantly reduce both preventable deaths and economic losses.

At its latest meeting on 24 December, the Advisory Council approved the Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, proposed by the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The approved ordinance proposes a ban on the use, production, and marketing of emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), and similar products. It also brings nicotine pouches under the definition of “tobacco products.” In addition, the ordinance prohibits the use of all forms of tobacco products in public places and public transport, alongside smoking. The provision for Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) has been made conditional on government directives. The definitions and scope of “public places” and “public transport” have been expanded. All forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship—including product display at points of sale and advertising through the internet or any other medium—have been banned. Furthermore, the ordinance includes a provision to increase the size of health warnings on tobacco packaging from the existing 50 percent to 75 percent of the surface area.

Nari Maitree and its anti-tobacco forums believe that this initiative reflects the government’s strong commitment to safeguarding public health. However, they note that two highly effective and internationally recognized tobacco control measures—the ban on the sale of single-stick cigarettes and the prohibition of tobacco companies’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities—have not been included in the ordinance. They expect the government to take prompt action on these issues as well.

The organization has also called for the amended ordinance to be issued as a gazette without delay to ensure effective implementation and to protect citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco.