The World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC), formerly known as World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH), along with the Grantee Partner Meeting (commonly referred to as the Global Partner Meeting), will be held from June 23 to 25, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. This significant global event is organized by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. It serves as a vital gathering point for tobacco control experts, policymakers, and advocates from around the world, offering a unique opportunity to exchange insights and learn about the latest evidence and developments in tobacco control.
Over years, World Conference on Tobacco Control has united thousands of professionals committed to reducing global tobacco use. It has been instrumental in advancing comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to combat tobacco-related harms and in supporting the development of effective tobacco control policies worldwide.
Tobacco use continues to pose a major public health threat in Bangladesh and across many other developing nations. It is a leading cause of preventable deaths, adds a significant burden to healthcare systems, and drives up healthcare costs. Bangladesh, in particular, has one of the highest rates of tobacco use globally, making its participation in the WCTC especially critical. The conference presents a timely opportunity for countries like Bangladesh to adopt proven international strategies, including increased tobacco taxation, comprehensive bans on advertising and promotion, and the implementation of robust cessation programs. It also provides a platform to address emerging challenges such as the proliferation of e-cigarettes and new nicotine products, while guiding the integration of key components into national tobacco control frameworks.
An important feature of this year's conference will be the official launch of the WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic Report 2025. This report offers a comprehensive assessment of each country's progress, performance, and policy gaps in tobacco control. Another major highlight is the Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control, a highly prestigious recognition that honors the outstanding efforts of governments and non-governmental organizations working to advance tobacco control measures.
Developing countries often face significant resource and capacity limitations when implementing effective tobacco control strategies. The WCTC addresses these issues by connecting stakeholders with opportunities for training, funding, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives. It promotes equity in public health by focusing on the disproportionate impact of tobacco on vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and those living in poverty. The conference also encourages collaboration among international experts, civil society organizations, and donor agencies to help countries adapt and scale interventions suited to their specific national contexts.
Having participated in multiple past World Conferences on Tobacco or Health-from the 12th held in Finland to the 17th in South Africa, the last in-person edition-I have consistently returned home feeling reinvigorated and inspired. Each conference deepened my commitment to supporting Bangladesh's tobacco control efforts, engaging with government initiatives, and contributing to the development and reform of key legislation and regulations. These conferences have not merely been intellectual engagements or policy dialogues-they have served as genuine calls to action, sparking real and meaningful progress in our national context.
Active engagement in the WCTC will allow Bangladesh and other developing nations to strengthen their responses to the tobacco epidemic, reduce health inequities, and contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on health and well-being. The global tobacco landscape is undergoing rapid change, with the emergence of new nicotine products, persistent interference by the tobacco industry, and a growing movement toward achieving the "tobacco endgame"-a future free from tobacco-related harm.
This progress would not be possible without the unwavering support of partners such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Vital Strategies, and others who are driving the global implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the MPOWER strategies. Their investment in evidence-based policy reform, their empowerment of civil society, and their efforts to hold the tobacco industry accountable continue to reshape the global public health environment in profound and lasting ways.
The writer is a Public Health Worker and Director (Health), Dhaka Ahsania Mission
