DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS)– Speakers at a meeting today demanded passing of the Tobacco Control Ordinance in the first session of the 13th parliament.

Although the approval of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 is being seen as a major achievement in reducing tobacco-related diseases and deaths, leaders of various professional organisations believe that passing it into law is now the key priority to ensure its effective implementation. 

They strongly emphasised that the ordinance must not remain limited to paper only; rather, it must be passed and enacted into law in the first session of the upcoming 13th national parliament.

The view-exchange meeting titled “A Landmark Achievement in Protecting Public Health—The Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025 and the Way Forward,” was organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission at Dhanmondi in the capital.

The speakers further stated that the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025 clearly reflects the government’s firm commitment to protecting public health. If the next elected government continues this stance, there should be no obstacle to passing the law in parliament.

Speaking as the chief guest, Sheikh Momena Moni, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said although the government earns about TK 40,000 crore in revenue annually from the tobacco sector, the loss   in terms of healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and premature deaths amounting to more than TK 87,000 crore. 

To prevent this massive loss and save lives, the interim government approved the Tobacco Control Ordinance. However, she said, emphasizing that to ensure its sustainability, it is essential to pass it as an act in parliament.

As a special guest, former BCIC Chairman Mostafizur Rahman said the harm caused by tobacco is not limited to individual health risks; it has severe impacts on families, society, and the national economy as well. Referring to data from the Tobacco Atlas 2025, he stated that more than 21.3 million adults (aged 15 years and above) in Bangladesh use tobacco. 

Among them, nearly 200,000 people die every year from tobacco-related diseases—more than 546 deaths per day. Therefore, he stressed that transforming the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025 into law would help prevent these deaths.

The meeting was chaired by Dr SM Khalilur Rahman, Vice President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, while the keynote paper was presented by Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.

Among others present at the event were Rezaul Karim Sarkar Robin, Director of AHAR Bangladesh; Badiuzzaman Badal, President of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Passengers) Association; Zakir Hossain, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Supermarket Owners Association; Nazmul Hasan Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association; Arifur Rahman Tipu of the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association; Mokaddem Hossain, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Combined Workers Federation; Alamgir Hossain Khan, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Grocery Business Association; Rafiqul Islam Babul, President of the National Employees Federation; and leaders from various professional organisations.