PROGGA, ATMA urge parliament to pass tobacco control amendment in first session

Research and advocacy group PROGGA-Knowledge for Progress and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) have urged the government to turn the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law, calling for it to be passed in the first session of parliament.

The call came at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia auditorium of the National Press Club.

The organisations said the move was needed to protect public health and curb tobacco-related deaths.

The speakers said tobacco use claims nearly 200,000 lives each year in Bangladesh and causes an estimated economic loss of Tk 870 billion, more than twice the revenue generated from the tobacco sector.

They also noted that tobacco use among people aged 15 and above stands at 35.3 percent, warning that without stronger legislation, the health and economic burden would continue to rise.

According to the speakers, passing the amendment into law would help prevent young people from taking up tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices, while discouraging the use of conventional tobacco products.