THE rate of tobacco use in Bangladesh is alarmingly high, posing significant challenges to public health, the economy and the environment. According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco-related diseases are responsible for eight million deaths annually, with 1.3 million of these attributed to passive smoking. In Bangladesh, 35.3 per cent of adults use tobacco, with 18 per cent smoking and 20.6 per cent consuming smokeless tobacco products, as reported in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2017. Meanwhile, 6.9 per cent of students aged 13 to 15 use tobacco, according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2013, casting a long shadow over the health of future generations. The Tobacco Atlas, 2022, further highlights that the economic cost of tobacco in Bangladesh stands at Tk42,435.68 crore per year, surpassing the combined costs of healthcare and lost productivity.
听
Environmental Crisis
BEYOND its health implications, tobacco farming inflicts severe environmental damage. Each year, 600 million trees are felled to dry tobacco leaves, accelerating deforestation and increasing carbon emissions. The production of a single cigarette generates 14 grams of carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change. Water bodies such as the River Halda suffer from chemical waste discharged by tobacco farming, endangering fish breeding grounds and biodiversity. Moreover, tobacco farming demands five times more water than rice cultivation, posing a critical risk to water-scarce countries like Bangladesh in an era of escalating climate challenges.
听
Risks to farmers, children
THE dangers of tobacco cultivation extend to those directly involved in the industry. Studies indicate that tobacco farmers absorb nicotine through their skin, equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes daily. The use of toxic pesticides further contaminates soil and water sources, seeping into the food chain and creating long-term health hazards. Alarmingly, children are among the victims of this exploitative industry, with many engaged in hazardous labour on tobacco farms, depriving them of their childhood and educational opportunities. UNICEF reports that 7 per cent of children in Bangladesh are directly or indirectly involved in the tobacco industry, a clear violation of child labour laws and fundamental rights.
听
Targeting youth
TOBACCO companies persistently flout regulations, employing insidious marketing strategies to lure the younger generation. Approximately 75 per cent of shops near schools and colleges in Dhaka prominently display tobacco products, enticing impressionable children. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are aggressively marketed with enticing flavours such as chocolate, fruit, and mint, further appealing to young consumers. Moreover, social media influencers and celebrity endorsements help promote tobacco as a fashionable lifestyle choice. According to WHO, 20 per cent of young people in Bangladesh have already been exposed to tobacco advertising, increasing the likelihood of future consumption and addiction.
听
Legal obstacles
A MAJOR impediment to the effective implementation of the Tobacco Control Act, 2005, and its subsequent amendments is the financial entanglement between the government and the tobacco industry. Notably, state-owned entities such as BDDBL (0.34 per cent), ICB (5.20 per cent), and General Insurance (2.83 per cent) hold shares in British American Tobacco. Additionally, the involvement of high-ranking government officials or their relatives on the company鈥檚 board creates a glaring conflict of interest, weakening regulatory enforcement and compromising public health priorities.
听
Proposals for legal amendments
SMOKING should be prohibited in all public places, restaurants, and workplaces, with increased penalties for violations. A complete ban on direct and indirect tobacco advertising and brand logos should be enforced, ensuring that health warnings cover at least 90 per cent of packaging. The sale of tobacco products must be prohibited within 100 metres of educational institutions, healthcare facilities and places of worship. The production and sale of flavoured tobacco products, including menthol, cherry and chocolate varieties, should be ceased. Furthermore, a maximum fine of Tk20,000 should be imposed for violations, with penalties doubled for repeat offences.
听
Implementing sin tax
A CRUCIAL step in reducing tobacco consumption is the introduction of higher taxation. Increasing taxes on tobacco products would not only deter consumption, particularly among youth and low-income groups, but also generate additional revenue for public health initiatives. The success of sin taxes in the Philippines, where tobacco use declined by 25 per cent following tax increases, underscores the effectiveness of this approach.
听
Path forward
TACKLING tobacco consumption in Bangladesh requires unwavering political commitment, rigorous law enforcement and systemic reforms to eliminate conflicts of interest. Government officials must sever financial ties with the tobacco industry to strengthen accountability and policy integrity. Key measures such as increased taxation, stringent advertising restrictions, and comprehensive awareness campaigns targeting young people must be expedited. Lessons can be drawn from countries such as Australia and New Zealand, where robust policies and social movements have successfully reduced tobacco consumption to below 20 per cent.
To meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, a coordinated effort involving policymakers, the media, educators, healthcare professionals and young activists is essential. Only through decisive action can Bangladesh curb the devastating impact of tobacco and safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens for generations to come.
听
Dr Syed Akram Hossain is a member of Health Sector Reform Commission and coordinator of Square Cancer Center, Square Hospital.
