DHAKA – A high-stakes tug-of-war has emerged in the capital this week as public health advocates and industry groups clash over the future of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.
While the ordinance was initially hailed as a “bold step” toward a tobacco-free generation, recent reports indicate that several of its most critical provisions—including a total ban on e-cigarettes and point-of-sale advertising—are now being reconsidered by a parliamentary special committee.
The Current State of the Law
Adopted under the previous interim government, the 2025 Ordinance significantly tightened the screws on the tobacco industry. However, for the law to remain in effect, the newly elected Parliament must approve it within 30 days of its first session.
Key Victories (Currently in Effect):
Public Spaces: Designated smoking areas have been abolished, making all public transport and indoor public places 100% smoke-free.
Hefty Fines: The maximum penalty for lighting up in a public place has surged from Tk 300 to Tk 2,000.
Health Warnings: Pictorial warnings on cigarette packs must now cover 75% of the surface area.
The “Vape” Controversy: A Looming U-Turn?
The most heated debate centers on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), commonly known as vapes. While the original 2025 draft imposed a total ban on their production and sale, industry groups like the Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) are successfully lobbying for “regulation over prohibition.”
“A complete ban drives the market underground,” argued BENDSTA President Suman Zaman. “Proper regulation and age verification are more effective ways to protect our youth while generating revenue.”
Anti-tobacco organizations are horrified by this potential reversal. Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, a prominent economist, warned that removing the vape ban “leaves the door open to aggressive industry exploitation” and contradicts national health commitments.
The Human and Economic Toll
The urgency of the debate is underscored by staggering new data from the Tobacco Atlas 2025:
| Metric | Impact on Bangladesh |
| Annual Deaths | Nearly 200,000 lives lost to tobacco-related diseases. |
| Economic Loss | Tk 87,000 crore (due to healthcare costs and lost productivity). |
| Revenue Generated | Tk 40,000 crore (less than half of the economic loss). |
| Female Mortality | Over 11% of women’s deaths are now linked to tobacco. |
What’s Next for Parliament?
As the Ministry of Health prepares a revised draft, the focus remains on whether the government will prioritize “narrow profit interests” or public health. Advocates argue that without the ban on loose cigarette sales and point-of-sale displays, the law will fail to protect the 35.3% of the adult population currently addicted to nicotine.
“Tobacco kills half of its users when used exactly as intended,” noted a WHO representative during a recent briefing in Dhaka. “Bangladesh has a historic opportunity to choose its people over the industry. The world is watching.”
The clock is ticking: Parliament has less than a month to decide if the 2025 Ordinance will become a permanent shield for the next generation or a missed opportunity.
