Members of Parliament (MPs) from reserved women’s seats on Tuesday pledged to work collectively against tobacco to ensure public health protection and save future generations from the devastating impacts of tobacco use.

They made the commitment at a meeting of the “Women MPs Forum Against Tobacco” held at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital. The meeting was chaired by Forum Chairperson Selima Rahman, MP.

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The meeting highlighted that Bangladesh is one of the world's largest tobacco-consuming countries. Among South Asian nations, Bangladesh has the highest tobacco use rate at 35.3%, compared to 28.6% in India and 19.1% in Pakistan.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2017), approximately 3.78 crore adults currently use tobacco in Bangladesh.

According to the Tobacco Atlas 2025, nearly 2 lakh people die every year in Bangladesh from tobacco-related diseases, while several hundred thousand more suffer disabilities.

A recent study by the Institute of Health Economics of Dhaka University found that in the 2024-25 fiscal year, tobacco sector revenue amounted to approximately Tk 41,000 crore, whereas tobacco-related deaths, health damage, and environmental harm cost the country around Tk 87,000 crore – more than double the revenue earned.

Overall, tobacco use and its consequences are posing an increasing threat to public health, the economy, and the environment in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh signed the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003. Following this commitment, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 was enacted.

The meeting expressed gratitude to the current government for this initiative.

Increasing taxes and prices on tobacco products was emphasised as one of the most effective and proven methods of tobacco control.

Since the 2026-27 national budget is forthcoming, participants strongly demanded higher taxes and prices on tobacco products in the upcoming budget.

Selima Rahman, also a BNP Standing Committee member, said, “One of the key promises in the current government’s election manifesto was public health protection and tobacco control. Reflecting that commitment, the Tobacco Control Ordinance was converted into law during the very first session of the 13th Parliament. However, we believe that passing a law alone is not enough – tobacco control is an ongoing battle.”

Shibani Bhattacharya, Convener of Natri Maitree’s Mothers Forum Against Tobacco, stated that under the banner of “harm reduction,” tobacco companies are marketing new nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches, which represent a new business strategy.

Through this tactic, they are misleading adolescents and youths and pushing them towards new forms of addiction, she said.

Tanushree Halder, Co-convener of the Teachers Forum Against Tobacco, said the harms of tobacco are not limited to individual health risks; they also have severe negative impacts on families, society, and the national economy.

Among the “Women MPs Forum Against Tobacco” present at the meeting were Rasheda Begum Hira, Farida Yasmin, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjida Islam Tulee, Fahmida Haque, Ferdousi Ahmed, Jaharat Adib Chowdhury, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Shawkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma and Rezeka Sultana.

Others attending the meeting included Shahin Akhtar Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree; Labin Rahman, General Secretary of the Women Journalists Forum; and Tasfia Nowrin, Raisul Islam, and Ashrafia Jannat from the Youth Forum Against Tobacco.