President Md Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have issued separate messages on the occasion of ‘World Tobacco-Free Day 2026’, emphasising stricter enforcement of laws and the need to shield the youth from tobacco and nicotine addiction.
In his message, the president welcomed the initiative to observe the day in Bangladesh. He termed tobacco cultivation, processing, and usage as extremely harmful to public health, the environment, and the economy.
“Use of tobacco products multiplies the risk of various complex and fatal diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes,” he said. He noted that around 200,000 people die annually in Bangladesh from tobacco-related illnesses.
The president expressed concern that young people are falling into addiction by falling for the attractive campaigns and false allurements of tobacco marketing companies. “Later, many become entangled in the deadly addiction of drugs. For this, widespread public awareness and strict enforcement of the law are essential,” he added.
He termed this year’s theme – “Unmask the allure, prevent tobacco and nicotine addiction” — as highly timely and significant. The president recalled that former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s leadership led to Bangladesh signing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003 and enacting the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005. In continuation, he noted, the current government has enacted the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026.
The president called upon authorities to take strict legal measures to ensure compliance with all laws, and urged the administration, civil society, relevant organisations, and the media to work in an integrated manner.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in his message, also highlighted the significance of this year’s theme. He warned about the severe addiction caused by nicotine, stating that bidi, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, jarda, gul, and any tobacco or nicotine products are primary causes of non-communicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, various cancers, and chronic lung diseases.
Citing the World Health Organization, the PM said about 71 percent of total deaths in Bangladesh occur due to non-communicable diseases, with tobacco use being a major risk factor. He added that according to the Tobacco Atlas 2025, over 199,000 people die annually from tobacco-related diseases in the country. Research by the Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, puts annual economic losses from tobacco use at more than Tk87,000 crore, including healthcare costs, environmental damage, and reduced productivity.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting children and future generations. He noted that all forms of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products have been prohibited across all media, including print, electronic, internet, social media, apps, OTT platforms, and dramas and films. Promotion under the guise of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has also been banned.
He added that selling tobacco within 100 metres of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, sports venues, and children’s parks is prohibited, as is selling to anyone under 18. Smoking and smokeless tobacco use in public places and on public transport have also been banned, with increased penalties and fines.
“Controlling tobacco use through effective implementation of the new regulations and raising public awareness is now the demand of the hour,” the Prime Minister said. “We are firmly committed to building a healthy, productive, and tobacco-free Bangladesh through the collective participation of the people and the integrated initiatives of the government.”
Both leaders wished overall success for all programmes undertaken on the occasion of ‘World Tobacco-Free Day 2026’.
