Women MPs’ pledge to work together against tobacco

Women Members of Parliament (MPs’) have pledged to work collectively against tobacco in order to ensure public health protection and save future generations from the devastating impacts of tobacco use. They made this commitment on Tuesday (May 19) at a meeting of the “Women MPs Forum Against Tobacco” held at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital. The meeting was chaired by the Forum’s Chairperson, BNP Standing Committee member and MP Selima Rahman.

The meeting highlighted that Bangladesh is one of the world's largest tobacco-consuming countries. Among South Asian nations, Bangladesh has the highest tobacco use rate at 35.3%, compared to 28.6% in India and 19.1% in Pakistan. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2017), approximately 37.8 million adults currently use tobacco in Bangladesh. According to the Tobacco Atlas 2025, nearly 200,000 people die every year in Bangladesh from tobacco-related diseases, while several hundred thousand more suffer disabilities. A recent study by the Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, found that in the 2024–25 fiscal year, tobacco sector revenue amounted to approximately BDT 41,000 crore, whereas tobacco-related deaths, health damage, and environmental harm cost the country around BDT 87,000 crore — more than double the revenue earned. Overall, tobacco use and its consequences are posing an increasing threat to public health, the economy, and the environment in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh signed the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003, under the leadership of then Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. Following this commitment, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 was enacted. The meeting expressed gratitude to the current government for this initiative.

Increasing taxes and prices on tobacco products was emphasized as one of the most effective and proven methods of tobacco control. Since the 2026–27 national budget is forthcoming, participants strongly demanded higher taxes and prices on tobacco products in the upcoming budget.

MP Selima Rahman said, “One of the key promises in the current government’s election manifesto was public health protection and tobacco control. Reflecting that commitment, the Tobacco Control Ordinance was converted into law during the very first session of the 13th National Parliament. However, we believe that passing a law alone is not enough — tobacco control is an ongoing battle. Under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, we will surely win this battle.”

Shibani Bhattacharya, Convener of the Mothers Forum Against Tobacco, stated that under the banner of “harm reduction,” tobacco companies are marketing new nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches, which represent a new business strategy by tobacco corporations. Through this tactic, they are misleading adolescents and youth and pushing them toward new forms of addiction. Although the revised tobacco control law does not fully address this issue, she stressed the need for continued advocacy against it, saying that no tobacco or nicotine product can be exempted in the interest of public health.

Tanushree Halder, Co-convener of the Teachers Forum Against Tobacco, said that the harms of tobacco are not limited to individual health risks; they also have severe negative impacts on families, society, and the national economy. Since female MPs are accountable to the people, she expressed confidence that working together with them would enable everyone to play a more effective role in tobacco control.

Among the “Women MPs Forum Against Tobacco” present at the meeting were Rasheda Begum Hira, Neowaz Halima Arli, Farida Yasmin, Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjida Islam, Fahmida Haque, Ferdousi Ahmed, Johorat Adib Chowdhury, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Shawkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, and Rezeka Sultana.

Others attending the meeting included Shahin Akhtar Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree; Labin Rahman, General Secretary of the Women Journalists Forum; and Tasfia Nowrin, Raisul Islam, and Ashrafia Jannat from the Youth Forum Against Tobacco. All participants reaffirmed their commitment to playing an effective role together in tobacco control.