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Reducing NCD burden not possible without tobacco control: Health Minister
Published : Monday, 31 August, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Observer Correspondent
Around 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with tobacco use identified as one of the major risk factors, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said Monday.
“Prevention of non-communicable diseases is not possible without effective tobacco control. Effective measures must be taken to reduce tobacco use in order to protect public health and safeguard the younger generation from nicotine addiction,” the minister said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Actions to Control Non-Communicable Diseases and Protect Future Generations from the Harmful Effects of Tobacco and Nicotine”, organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) at the CIRDAP International Conference Center in Dhaka on Monday afternoon.
The health minister said the current government has allocated the highest-ever budget for the health sector in the national budget. Despite this, he noted, tobacco remains one of the major obstacles to improving public health.
He said the government is highly aware of the issue and is taking effective steps to strengthen tobacco control.
As part of fulfilling a commitment made in the election manifesto, the Tobacco Control Act was further amended and strengthened and passed in 2026, he said. He also stressed the need for more effective, coordinated and timely tobacco-control measures in line with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
37.8 Million Tobacco Users in Bangladesh
Speakers at the seminar said approximately 37.8 million people in Bangladesh use tobacco products. Tobacco-related diseases cause around 200,000 premature deaths in the country every year, equivalent to approximately 546 deaths each day.
They said the combined health and environmental costs associated with tobacco are estimated at around BDT 870 billion, or Tk 87,000 crore.
Tobacco cultivation is also contributing to deforestation, depletion of soil fertility and increased use of chemical inputs, they added.
Concern Over E-Cigarettes
The speakers expressed concern over the exclusion of e-cigarettes from the amended Tobacco Control Act 2026.
They said tobacco companies are adopting various strategies to expand the market for their products by targeting younger people.
They called for stringent legal measures to ban the production, import, marketing and sale of e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products. They also urged authorities to prevent their promotion and easy availability.
The speakers further demanded the prompt formulation of rules under the amended Tobacco Control Act 2026.
Experts Call for Coordinated Action
The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
Professor Dr. Syed Md. Akram Hossain, Chairman of the Department of Clinical Oncology at Bangladesh Medical University, attended the event as the chief discussant.
Other discussants included Sheikh Momena Moni, Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division; Mostafizur Rahman, former Chairman of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC); and S. M. Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Vice President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health and Nutrition Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, delivered the welcome address, while Project Coordinator Shariful Islam presented the keynote paper.
More than 100 participants attended the seminar, including government officials, physicians, public health experts, representatives of development organizations and students from various universities.
The speakers emphasized stronger tobacco-control measures, effective implementation of existing laws and coordinated action to reduce tobacco use and protect future generations from tobacco- and nicotine-related health risks.
-TN/MT
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Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
