Anti-tobacco youth advocates formed a human chain demanding the swift passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law. The event, organized by Nari Maitree, was held on Saturday morning (6 December 2025) in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, where members of the Anti-Tobacco Youth Forum raised their demands, a press release said.
During the human chain, speakers stated: “non-communicable diseases caused by tobacco—such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, kidney disease, and injury-related illnesses—are increasing rapidly. According to the Tobacco Atlas 2025 by the World Health Organization, approximately 130,135 people die prematurely every year in Bangladesh due to tobacco-related diseases. This means about 357 lives are lost every day because of tobacco.”
Bangladesh was among the first signatory the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, the organization’s latest report on the global tobacco epidemic shows that Bangladesh has still not achieved the highest standard in ensuring smoke-free environments or banning tobacco advertising and promotion. Youth advocates said the proposed amendment drafted by the Ministry of Health would address the weaknesses of the current law and bring the country’s tobacco control measures in line with WHO FCTC recommendations and global best practices.
Despite some recent government initiatives, Bangladesh continues to have the highest tobacco use rate in South Asia. If the proposed amendment is passed, it will significantly reduce tobacco use and help prevent its devastating health and economic consequences.
The youth activists noted that tobacco use causes an estimated 39,200 crore taka in economic losses each year. “We consider this widespread devastation a tobacco epidemic. To stop it, a strong law is essential. Therefore, we demand the immediate passage of the amendment proposed by the Ministry of Health,” they said.
They added that young people are the primary target of tobacco companies. “The industry knows that if they can attract young people, they secure long-term consumers. That’s why they continuously introduce new tactics. After cigarettes and e-cigarettes, their latest strategy is nicotine pouches. Through deceptive promotions and false information, they are trying to lure youths. Recently, Philip Morris, a major tobacco producer, has reportedly been allowed to set up a nicotine pouch production facility. This dangerous move must be stopped, and the proposed amendment must be passed without delay.”
During the event, the youth presented six key amendments for strengthening the Tobacco Control Act: eliminating designated smoking zones in public places; a complete ban on the display and advertisement of all tobacco products; protection of youth from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes; banning the sale of single sticks of cigarettes and bidis; prohibiting tobacco companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR); and increasing the size of pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packaging to 90 percent.
Following the human chain, the youth advocates joined a discussion meeting at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, organized by Nari Maitree, where more detailed information on the issue was presented.
