Public Health on Top

Bangladesh continues to experience a high level of tobacco industry (TI) interference in its policy arena. The Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025 puts Bangladesh as one of the countries with the highest level of TI interference. The country, in fact, records the highest degree of such interference in all of Asia. The majority of the incidents of TI interference, as per the latest 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index Country Report reveals, was aimed at the amendment process of the tobacco control law, initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Tobacco companies were found to be particularly active in opposing the proposed ban on e-cigarette, vaping and other emerging tobacco products (ETPs); engaging lobbyists from home and abroad, releasing so-called research findings produced by front groups, organizing roundtable discussions, press briefings, holding online petitions and launching concerted media campaigns.

Despite such push from the tobacco industry, the Council of Advisors has, very recently, given the nod to the much-awaited Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which is undoubtedly a laudable move. However, the ordinance clearly reflects the influence of the tobacco industry. By omitting several important provisions from the draft and including nicotine pouches as tobacco products, the law has been approved in the form of an ordinance.

There is no alternative to implementing WHO FCTC Article 5.3 to counter aggressive interference from the tobacco industry. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Railway have already formulated Article 5.3 Guideline, which also deserve appreciation. However, to safeguard all tobacco control–related laws and regulations, the government should formulate guidelines for all ministries and agencies in line with Article 5.3.