News Flash
DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) – Primary and Mass Education Adviser Prof Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar today put emphasis on turning the ‘Smoking and Tobacco Product Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025’ into a law.
“It is necessary to seek public opinion and convince those who will form the government in the future in this regard . . . If this ordinance is implemented as a law, it will have a far-reaching positive impact on public health protection,” he said.
The adviser was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Smoking and Tobacco Product Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025: What to do after the breakthrough achievement in health protection”, organized by the Policy Research Institute for Development Alternatives (PRIDA) at the International Hall of CIRDAP here.
Noting that various groups involved in the tobacco business do various things behind the scenes, the adviser said this discussion focused on how people are addicted to tobacco cultivation, marketing and sale.
He said tobacco companies also work secretly by influencing policy makers, which is a huge threat to public health.
Referring to a major characteristic of drugs, Dr. Bidhan said they (the addicts) try to quit repeatedly but start again, which is also applicable to tobacco.
Despite all the signs of addiction, tobacco has not yet been included as a drug; the international classification system is behind it, he mentioned.
Diseases are classified through two forums, the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), it was told in the seminar.
The seminar was told that the next Jatitya Sangsad (JS) should pass the “Smoking and Tobacco Product Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025” into law, giving priority to public health.
Different ministries and departments of the government would play a due role in passing the ordinance into law, it was hoped.
Dr MA Sobhan presided over the seminar.
Among others, eminent educationist Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Health and Family Welfare Ministry’s Additional Secretary Sheikh Momena Moni, additional secretary of the Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Dr Mohammad Mohiuddin and Director General of the National Tobacco Control Cell Md Akhtar-uz-Zaman took part in the discussion as the special guests.
Besides, various professionals, stakeholders and students were also present at the seminar.
