In Bangladesh, student mobilization in support of strengthening the anti-smoking law

About 10,000 young anti-tobacco activists have submitted a petition to the chief adviser and four other advisers to the Bangladesh government, demanding immediate amendments to the Tobacco Control Act.[1]. This initiative, led by students from various universities and institutions in Dhaka, also calls for the cancellation of a planned government meeting with representatives of the tobacco industry regarding the proposed protection measures. This meeting, involving the industry in defining the health strategy, is considered a violation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).) which calls for the protection of public policies from the tobacco industry lobby.

Concrete proposals to align the law with international standards

The petition, officially submitted on August 17, 2025, by the organizations Nari Maitree, DORP, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, and the National Heart Foundation, was also forwarded to the councilors responsible for finance, health, information, and youth and sports. The signatories express their desire for a tobacco-free Bangladesh and their opposition to any cooperation with tobacco companies.

To better align the 2005 Tobacco Control Act, as amended in 2013, with the guidelines of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the Health Services Division has proposed a series of amendments to the law. Key measures include banning smoking areas in public places, removing all forms of advertising or display of tobacco products, banning the sale of single cigarettes, strengthening health warnings (increased to 90% of the packaging surface), banning corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by the tobacco industry, and measures to limit the use of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people.

These proposals were developed in consultation with health experts, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders. They have been published online for public consultation. Meanwhile, the government has already banned the import of e-cigarettes and suspended their domestic production.

A call to respect public health commitments

Representatives of health organizations expressed concern about the tobacco industry's influence on public policy. Mohammad Zobair Hasan (DORP) emphasized that health is a constitutional responsibility of the state, but that the ongoing negotiations with tobacco manufacturers regarding health strategy are not institutionally compliant. Indeed, British American Tobacco (BAT), which is known for circumventing the anti-smoking law in Bangladesh, including partnerships with luxury establishments, illicit advertising and political lobbying, remains a major obstacle in public health policies, particularly locally.

In November 2023, Kudrat-e-Khuda, Secretary General of Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN), estimated that the business practices of tobacco manufacturers in this country had become particularly aggressive, attributing this trend to the administration's lack of responsiveness. British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) are the two main cigarette manufacturers he has accused: the close contacts and conflicts of interest they maintain with members of the government and Parliament are said to explain, in particular, the authorities' inertia in the face of the violations observed (free distribution of cigarettes, gifts to customers and retailers, advertising in public spaces, promotion of tobacco products in films, series and filmed events, non-compliance with smoke-free areas, etc.).

For his part, Naimur Rahman Emon, youth representative, recalled that tobacco causes approximately 161,000 preventable premature deaths each year in Bangladesh, or 442 per day, and that 38.4 million non-smokers remain exposed to passive smoking in public spaces, such as public transport and restaurants.[2].

Shahin Akhter Dolly, director of Nari Maitree, emphasized that Bangladesh, an early signatory to the FCTC, also adopted the guidelines for implementing Article 5.3 in 2008. She believes the planned meeting with tobacco companies violates these commitments and should be canceled. She believes the petition by 10,000 young people sends a clear message, and the government must adopt the proposed amendments without further delay.

Adopting these reforms would significantly reduce tobacco consumption, improve public health indicators, and move the country toward a tobacco-free future.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]Daily Sun, 10,000 youth activists ask government to swiftly amend tobacco control act, published August 17, 2025, accessed August 19, 2025

[2]UNB, Youth representatives want swift amendment of tobacco control law, published August 17, 2025, accessed August 19, 2025

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