As the world observes an evolving public health landscape, the sudden withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organization has significantly reduced public health budgets globally, forcing governments to see scalable solutions immediately. In this context, World Conference on Tobacco Control organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), with the aid of Bloomberg Philanthropies is more valuable than ever! From June 23-25, 2025, policymakers, researchers, healthcare leaders, government officials, civil society representatives and young leaders will come together in Dublin, Ireland for the WCTC to assess the world's progress in this regard and urge stronger action - both globally and in countries like Bangladesh, where the fight is far from over.
In the conference, WHO will launch its Global Tobacco Epidemic Report, where each country's stance on tobacco control will be reflected. International organisations like World Health Organization (WHO), Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and World Bank will be participating in the event. Ministries of Health from countries like Bangladesh, Philippines, Uruguay, India, Mexico, South Africa are also appearing. All over the world, more than 100 countries will be participating as well to assess global progress, identify emerging challenges, and explore integrated, effective policies. For Bangladesh, this conference is not only an opportunity for global engagement but also a platform to learn practical strategies and identify actionable directions.
Bangladesh, like the majority of low and middle-income countries, yet continues to bear the heavy toll of tobacco related diseases and death. Over 161,000 individuals lose their irreplaceable death from tobacco annually in Bangladesh alone (GATS, 2017), and the economic toll from these deaths is over BDT 30,560 crore (BBS, 2018). Despite this, efforts towards reducing tobacco use are slow. During the years 2009-2022, tobacco consumption decreased by a mere 13 percent. A 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2030, as outlined in the WHO implementation Roadmap for the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) 2013-2030, is unlikely to be achieved given the current rate of decline (STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance, 2022).
More alarming is the way tobacco companies continue to target our youth. They have flavored e-cigs, attractive packaging, and product displays in markets, near schools and colleges to appeal to young customers, as if smoking is a heroic act. A Johns Hopkins University report in 2016 found that 96 percent of markets near schools in Dhaka sold tobacco products along with candies and soft drinks.
In the milieu of these, other countries are showing the courage to act. South America is now entirely smoke-free. Uruguay took a large tobacco company to court and was able to maintain its graphic warnings law (Pan American Health Organization, 2020). In the Ukraine, despite war, a strong smoke-free law was implemented in 2022 and is being widely adhered to (Global Tobacco Control Progress Report, 2023). In China, smoking in public is now banned in 24 cities, encompassing over 229 million people (WHO China, 2023). These countries are setting the examples that we must follow.
Meanwhile, countries like Pakistan raised tobacco taxes by 154 percent in FY 2023-24, reducing consumption by 19 percent and boosting tax revenue by 66 percent (CTFK, 2024). In 2019 Ethiopia banned flavoured tobacco, shisha, and e-cigarettes (WHO FCTC Implementation Database, 2020). Mexico and Indonesia have also made great strides in protecting their citizens (WHO MPOWER Report, 2023). These nations show us what is possible with political will and good policy.
In contrast, the 2023 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index ranked us lowest in South Asia, scoring 72 out of 100 (GGTC, 2023). Hence, the following steps are now essential for tobacco control in Bangladesh. Firstly, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's proposal for the amendment to the tobacco control law must be passed immediately. This includes eliminating designated smoking areas in all public places and transport to protect non-smokers; banning the display of tobacco products at points of sale; prohibiting tobacco companies' corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs; taking measures to protect youth from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes; banning the retail sale of loose tobacco products; and increasing the size of pictorial health warnings on packaging from 50% to 90% among the other amendment proposals.
Secondly, Bangladesh's cigarette tax structure must be reformed. The current multi-tiered pricing system (four tiers: low, medium, high, and premium) is overly complex and enables tobacco companies to evade taxes. Moreover, the price gap between the low and medium tiers is minimal, and they hold nearly 90% of total cigarette consumers. Therefore, the low and medium tiers should be merged, and both prices and taxes should be increased. This reform would simplify the tax structure and prevent smokers from switching to cheaper alternatives, and discourage smoking among youth and low-income populations.
The world is in motion. Bangladesh cannot be left behind. We possess the science, the evidence, and the urge for a moral call. I believe, that the upcoming World Conference on Tobacco Control marks a critical opportunity for Bangladesh to strengthen its tobacco control efforts. With a delegation of senior government officials and civil society representatives, the country stands to gain valuable insights from global best practices while also contributing its own experiences to the international dialogue. This moment has the potential to catalyze transformative action at the national level. It is our obligation to ensure a viable future for our children, ourselves, our economy, and the process of nation building. Let us endeavour to transform Bangladesh into a tobacco-free nation.
We cannot wait and see our demise in our own hands.
The writer is Chairman, Community Clinic Health Assistance Trust
