The Ministry of Health has submitted a written proposal to the Ministry of Finance seeking increases in the prices and taxes of all types of tobacco products, Health Minister Sarder Sakawat Hossain Bakul said on Sunday.
The minister made the remarks when representatives of research and advocacy organisation “Knowledge for Progress” (Proggya) and the “Anti Tobacco Media Alliance” (ATMA) met with him at the Secretariat.
“The Ministry of Health is committed to taking all types of initiatives to control tobacco to protect public health,” the minister said on the occasion.
The representatives handed a letter of thanks to the minister for his role in protecting public health and building a tobacco-free generation through the passage of the Smoking and Tobacco Product Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026.
The advocates noted that several steps in the amended act – including abolishing designated smoking areas, banning tobacco sales near educational institutions and hospitals, and stopping digital advertising of tobacco products – will play a positive role in protecting public health.
However, they expressed concern that provisions banning e-cigarettes, vaping, nicotine pouches, and other new-generation tobacco products were excluded from the act.
“This exclusion will increase the risk of new types of nicotine addiction spreading among young people,” the representatives warned.
The delegation included ATMA Convener Matuarza Haider Liton, Co-Convener Nadira Kiran, members Shafiqul Islam and Altab Hossain, and Proggya Director Md Monwar Hossain.
The health ministry’s proposal now awaits a response from the finance ministry, which will present the national budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Further developments are awaited.
