Key Takeaways
- Bangladesh’s new government approved the Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025, banning tobacco advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale.
- The law also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks.
- Cigarette packs must carry pictorial health warnings covering at least 75% of their surface and include the contact number of the national quit line.
- The law expands smoke-free public places and bans the sale and use of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools, hospitals, clinics and playgrounds.
- The law does not cover newer tobacco and nicotine products, including vapes, heated tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems and nicotine pouches.
2Firsts, April 22, 2026
According to healthpolicy, Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale.
The new law expands restrictions on tobacco advertising and branding
Under the Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025, tobacco advertising, promotion and display are banned across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The law also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks.
Cigarette packs must carry 75% pictorial warnings
The law requires cigarette packs to carry pictorial health warnings covering at least 75% of their surface and to include the contact number of the national quit line.
Smoke-free areas are expanded and 100-meter restrictions are introduced
The law also expands smoke-free public places and bans the sale and use of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools, hospitals, clinics and playgrounds.
The law is one of the first passed under the new government
The report said this is one of the first laws passed by the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who was sworn in last month after winning elections in February. It added that Rahman’s Bangladesh National Party took over from an interim administration installed after the 2024 uprising that removed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League from power.
Bangladesh faces a high tobacco-use burden
According to the report, Bangladesh has a high prevalence of tobacco use, with an estimated 25% of men smoking, or more than 21 million people. Data cited from the Tobacco Atlas said that in 2023, around a quarter of deaths among men and 10% of women’s deaths were caused by tobacco, totaling almost 200,000 people.
The report also said the annual cost of illness attributable to smoking in Bangladesh is estimated at 730.63 billion takas, or approximately US$5.9 billion.
Vapes and newer nicotine products are not covered
The law does not cover newer tobacco and nicotine products, including vapes, heated tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems and nicotine pouches. The report noted that this remains the case despite Tobacco Atlas data indicating that almost 25% of people use smokeless tobacco products.
Public health groups urged rapid implementation and stronger future regulation
Vital Strategies senior vice president for tobacco control Gan Quan welcomed the law and urged its rapid implementation.
He said it is a positive step that sets the stage to save millions of lives and deliver economic gains, and called for continued collaboration among government agencies, civil society and public health partners, along with continued public education about tobacco harms.
He also said vigilance is needed against industry efforts to subvert or delay the measures and called for stronger policy to address emerging tobacco and nicotine products, especially to protect youth from being targeted.
Smita Baruah, executive vice-president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said the new measures will reduce tobacco use, save lives and protect children from tobacco addiction. She said tobacco companies know strong tobacco control laws work and therefore try to undermine them, and that the measures must be protected from the interests of the world’s largest tobacco companies.
Image source: Health Policy
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