Dhaka: The World No Tobacco Day will be observed across the world tomorrow, highlighting this year’s theme “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.” In Bangladesh, the event will take place under the title “Prolobhoner Mukhosh Unmuchan Kori, Tamak O Nicotiner Asokti Protirodh Kori.”
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tobacco control movement in Bangladesh has recently gained momentum with the passage of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 in Parliament. Despite this legislative progress, concerns are rising over the exclusion of provisions banning e-cigarettes, vaping, nicotine pouches, and other emerging tobacco products (ETPs), which could lead to a new wave of nicotine addiction among the youth.
A press release from PROGGA indicates that tobacco and nicotine companies worldwide have long been reinventing and repackaging their products, marketing them through aggressive campaigns targeting children and young people. These companies have been portraying ETPs to the youth as “safe alternatives” and “less harmful,” a claim that PROGGA argues is misleading.
The current scenario in Bangladesh shows that 37.8 million adults aged 15 and above regularly use tobacco products. Tobacco-induced diseases claim nearly 200,000 lives annually in the country. In 2024, the impact of tobacco use and production on public health and the environment caused the national economy a yearly loss of nearly Taka 87,000 crore, which is more than double the yearly revenue inflow from the tobacco sector.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2026, PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair emphasized the need for rapid and impactful policy action against e-cigarettes, vaping, and other emerging tobacco products to safeguard the youth from nicotine addiction.
According to PROGGA, to build a tobacco-free generation, the government must effectively implement the recently-passed tobacco control law without delay. This includes adopting policies to counter tobacco industry interference and raising prices and taxes on tobacco products to make them unaffordable for the youth in the upcoming national budget.