Professor Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury
Bangladesh is one of the world’s top tobacco users, about3 crore 78 Lakh of the country’s adult population uses tobacco products in any form.According to the Tobacco Atlas, 2025 around 130,135 people die fromsmoking each year in Bangladesh.
In 2025 there is major leap taken by the interim government for amendedtheSmoking and Tobacco Products Usage (control) act 2005. The government already issued gazette notification of this act. on 30 December, 2025 to protect our economy and future generation from the harm of tobacco usage.
Section 2 provides various definitionsof the law/ordinance that expanded existing one and included new definition. With existing tobacco products, this ordinance includes emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarette or electronic nicotine delivery system, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouch to the legal definitions. Inclusion of the emerging tobacco products strengthened the law and risky gap minimized. The ordinance places these devices under the same stringent regulations since it recognizes them as tobacco products.
Definition of public places, public transport and workplaces are strengthened under Section 2. This definition includes all government/autonomous and private buildings,educational institutions, public transport, bus/launch terminals, railway stations and platforms, festivals, , and all-indoor workplaces are now included in the list of smoke-free venues. This protects nonsmokers from secondhand smoke and preserves the right to clean air.
It is worth noting that this ordinance banned smokeless tobacco use in public places and transports. Earlier it was only smoking ban. The fine also increased from 300 taka to 2000 taka.
By reinforcing Section 5 of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, Bangladesh has made a significant advancement in tobacco control. All tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship on traditional and digital platforms—such as television, movies, OTT streaming services, mobile apps, and social media—is expressly forbidden by this clause. This ordinance also banned product display at the tobacco selling shops.
In the current digital era, movies, web series, and influencer content attract young people to use tobacco products for showing smartness. By outlawing both direct and indirect promotion, whether through brand placement, corporate social responsibility initiatives, or covert marketing strategies—Section 5 directly addresses these issues. This law is not about censorship—it is about responsibility. Content creators, broadcasters, and influencers shape social behavior.Section 5’s concentration on the future is what makes it so potent. It acknowledges that tobacco industries are using discreet digital promotions instead of billboards and print advertisements. The rule plugs a long-standing loophole that allows tobacco imagery to normalize smoking behavior among viewers by regulating OTT platforms and internet material.
Research indicates that adolescents who are exposed to smoking scenarios are more likely to start smoking. Thus, the goal of this ordinance reform is to protect public health and stop addiction before it begins, not to censor. In line with international best practices, Section 5 reaffirms Bangladesh’s commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Robust laws, however, require robust enforcement. To guarantee complete compliance, government organizations, film certification boards, broadcasters, and digital platforms must collaborate. To make section 5 genuinely successful, public awareness campaigns, unambiguous sanctions, and regular monitoring are essential.
Sections 6 enhance the penalties for offenses. Tobacco control is clearly enforceable and not only symbolic, as seen by harsher penalties and stronger enforcement tactics. There is a real deterrent impact when repeat offenders face harsher penalties.
Another achievement of section 6 is to prohibit tobacco product selling within 100-meter radius of educational institute, hospital and clinic, playground and Children Park. By banning sales within a defined radius of schools and colleges, the law directly protects children and adolescents from easy access to tobacco products.
This ordinance completely banned E-cigarettes, ENDs, and emerging tobacco products that includes production/manufacturing, buying and selling, export and import, marketing, use and disposal. Likewise, addition of any other chemicals also banned.
Section 10 tightens packaging and labeling restrictions while strengthening the graphic health warnings on tobacco products. Larger and easier-to-read warning images ensure that consumers, especially those with low literacy rates, understand the actual dangers of tobacco smoking.Larger and more readable warning pictures around 75% of the cigarette packet guarantee that customers, particularly those with low literacy rates, are aware of the true risks associated with tobacco use.
Section 10-k of this law banned tobacco selling without packet / packages mentioned. This is also significant progress for tobacco control.
When smoking appears glamorous in films or trendy on social media, it silently recruits new users. By regulating OTT platforms and digital media, Bangladesh has shut down one of the most powerful recruitment channels of the tobacco industry.Together, these sections create a strong legal shield.
In the battle against tobacco usage, Bangladesh has once again shown leadership. It is now necessary for all stakeholders—civil society, media professionals, and policy makers—to endorse this ordinance and transform it into a stringent tobacco control law in a parliament within ninety days. So that we can move forward to regulate tobacco products effectively.
Writer: Professor Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury
Recipient of EkushePadak
Visiting Professor, Dental Surgery Department, BIRDEM
Founder President, MadokDraba O NeshaNirodhSangstah (MANAS)
Email: [email protected]