The newly elected government of Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has passed a sweeping anti-tobacco law aimed at curbing the nation's severe smoking epidemic. The Smoking Control and Prevention (Amendment) Act 2025 introduces total advertising bans and strict packaging rules, responding to a public health crisis that claims nearly 200,000 lives annually.
This legislation marks one of the first major policy moves by Rahman’s administration, which took office in March 2026 following the 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Under the new regulatory framework, the government is implementing aggressive measures to reduce traditional tobacco visibility and accessibility:
- Packaging Mandates: Cigarette packs must feature graphic health warnings covering at least 75% of the surface area, alongside a national quitline number.
- Total Media Ban: All tobacco advertising, promotion, and displays are banned across print, electronic, digital, social media, and entertainment platforms.
- Location Restrictions: The law expands smoke-free public spaces and explicitly bans the sale and use of tobacco within a 100-meter radius of schools, clinics, and playgrounds.
The urgency of the law is underscored by the massive health and economic burden tobacco places on Bangladesh. According to the Tobacco Atlas, the country struggles with exceptionally high smoking rates, particularly among men.
| Impact Metric | Data / Figure |
|---|---|
| Male Smoking Rate | 25% (Over 21 million men) |
| Annual Tobacco-Related Deaths (2023) | ~200,000 (25% of male deaths, 10% of female deaths) |
| Annual Economic Cost | 730.63 billion taka (~US$5.9 billion) |
However, a significant loophole exists within the new framework. The legislation entirely excludes newer nicotine products, including vapes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. This omission comes despite estimates showing that nearly 25% of the population uses some form of smokeless tobacco.
Public health advocates have broadly welcomed the traditional tobacco restrictions while warning about the regulatory gap. Gan Quan, senior vice president for tobacco control at Vital Strategies, called the law a "positive step" but stressed the urgent need to "strengthen policies to address emerging tobacco and nicotine products."
Similarly, Smita Baruah, executive vice president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, emphasized the importance of swift implementation. She warned that the government must remain vigilant against industry interference, noting that tobacco companies "do everything in their power to weaken life-saving laws like this."
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