As the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) convenes this November, countries around the world stand at a crucial juncture for global public health. Although Bangladesh was among the first signatories to the FCTC, it continues to bear a heavy burden of tobacco-related disease and death. COP11 is not just another international conference—it is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to protecting lives and safeguarding future generations.
Adopted in 2003 and entering into force in 2005, the WHO FCTC remains the world’s first and only global public health treaty aimed at reducing tobacco use. With nearly two decades of implementation experience, it has proven to be highly effective. Countries that have enforced key measures such as higher tobacco taxation, pictorial health warnings, bans on tobacco advertising, and smoke-free laws have seen dramatic declines in tobacco use.
The conference brings together tobacco control experts, policymakers, and advocates from around the world to exchange the latest research, strategies, and experiences. COP11 unites thousands of tobacco control professionals under a shared goal—to reduce the global tobacco epidemic. For many developing countries, including Bangladesh, tobacco remains a major public health challenge. It contributes significantly to preventable deaths, disease burden, and healthcare costs. Therefore, participation in this conference is vital for Bangladesh, as it is among the top tobacco-consuming low-income nations. COP11 offers a platform to learn from global best practices—such as increasing tobacco taxes, enforcing advertising bans, and scaling up cessation programs. It also provides opportunities to address emerging challenges like e-cigarettes and new nicotine products, and to strengthen key components of national tobacco control policies.
Over the past decade, Bangladesh has achieved notable progress—smoking prevalence among adults has declined, public awareness of tobacco’s harms has increased, and most cigarette packets now carry graphic health warnings. Yet, this progress remains fragile. Tobacco still kills around 161,000 Bangladeshis each year and causes an annual economic loss of nearly 8,000 crore taka, far exceeding government revenue from the tobacco industry.
At COP11, representatives from more than 180 countries will discuss the future direction of global tobacco control particularly strategies to prevent industry interference. For Bangladesh, where the tobacco industry continues to wield strong influence, these discussions are directly relevant.
The tobacco industry has changed its tactics—under the guise of “harm-reduction alternatives,” it is promoting new products like e-cigarettes to attract young people. Alarmingly, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) recently approved Philip Morris Bangladesh to build a nicotine-pouch factory in the Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Narayanganj, with a US$ 5.82 million investment and capacity for 536 million pouches annually. Through CSR and political lobbying, such companies are targeting youth and vulnerable populations—these tactics threaten to undermine years of progress. Therefore, Bangladesh’s delegates must take a firm stand at COP11 and support robust global action against these misleading industry maneuvers.
One of the key agendas of COP11 is to accelerate the full implementation of the FCTC’s proven measures. For Bangladesh, this means urgently finalizing the long-awaited amendments to the Tobacco Control Act. The amendments must ban single-stick sales of Bidi & Cigarettes, eliminate all designated smoking areas, and ban new and emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, vapes and heated tobacco products. They should also strengthen penalties, restrict flavorings, expand pictorial warnings, and close advertising loopholes. These reforms align with core FCTC obligations and are vital for advancing the government’s goal of a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040.
In addition, tax policy reform must be prioritized. Bangladesh’s tobacco tax system remains one of the most complex and ineffective in the world. Simplifying the structure and substantially increasing taxes across all tobacco products would not only reduce consumption but also generate much-needed revenue for health and social development. The FCTC provides clear guidance and global evidence to support such reforms. Bangladesh’s participation at COP11 must reaffirm its commitment to public health, push for stronger tobacco control laws, and advocate for decisive global action. The decisions made today will determine whether the next generation will be freed from the deadly grip of tobacco or remain trapped in a cycle of addiction and disease.
Shariful Islam Project Coordinator, Health Sector Dhaka Ahsania Mission
