DHAKA, Sept 21, 2025 (BSS) – Health professionals today demanded immediate passage of the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act and called for a boycott of meetings with tobacco companies during the amendment process.

At a solidarity event organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, speakers said tobacco use causes over 161,000 premature deaths annually in Bangladesh and is a major driver of non-communicable diseases.

Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector of the Mission, said the law must be amended without delay to protect public health and future generations.

Dr. Naila Parveen, Assistant Director (Medical Services), highlighted key proposed amendments, including banning smoking zones, tobacco displays, corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and loose sales, as well as increasing pictorial health warnings on packaging.

Speakers condemned the scheduled September 23 meeting between the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and tobacco companies, calling it a violation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), to which Bangladesh is a signatory.

They urged the government to fully comply with the FCTC and ensure that public health gets precedence over tobacco industry interests.