Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) Youth Forum has called for the urgent approval of the proposed amendment to Tobacco Control Law, emphasizing that swift action is needed to protect public health and curb tobacco-related deaths in the country.
Youth activists formed a human chain at Mirpur-10 in Dhaka, urging the government to prioritize the draft amendment on Thursday morning.
Speaking at the event, the participants highlighted alarming statistics from the Tobacco Atlas 2025, which shows that tobacco-related diseases claim around 130,000 lives annually in Bangladesh; an average of 357 deaths per day, while millions more suffer from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and respiratory disorders.
The youth advocates stressed that despite some government initiatives, Bangladesh still has the highest rate of tobacco use in South Asia and continued delays in passing the amendment are costing lives daily.
They also pointed out that tobacco consumption causes an annual economic loss of nearly BDT 392 billion, underscoring the urgent need for legislative action.
Adib, a student of Dhaka University, noted that although Bangladesh was the first country to sign the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the nation has yet to meet global best-practice standards for smoke-free environments and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
He emphasized that the proposed amendment would close loopholes in the current law and align national regulations with FCTC recommendations.
Saikat, a student of Jahangirnagar University, warned that tobacco companies increasingly target young people through new products such as nicotine pouches, after cigarettes and e-cigarettes, with misleading promotions.
He highlighted that Philip Morris has recently been allowed to establish a nicotine pouch manufacturing facility in Bangladesh, calling this a dangerous tactic that makes passing the amendment urgent to protect youth.
During the human chain, youth advocates presented six key recommendations for strengthening the existing law.
These include: eliminating designated smoking areas in all public places and transport; banning the display of tobacco products at points of sale; prohibiting corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by tobacco companies; taking strong measures to protect children and youth from e-cigarettes; banning the sale of loose or single-stick tobacco products; and expanding graphic health warnings from 50 percent to 90 percent of packaging.
Following the human chain, participants joined a workshop organized by DORP at UCEP Bangladesh, discussing further strategies to strengthen tobacco control and safeguard public health.
SH
