Dhaka, June 4 -- Bangladesh has taken a major step forward in public health by enacting the Smoking and Usage of Tobacco Products (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026.

Passed on Apr 10, this long-awaited reform marks a significant advancement in aligning national tobacco control efforts with global commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The reform process began in 2020 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, followed by public consultation in 2022. The law was first introduced as an ordinance in late 2025 before being passed this year, marking what officials describe as a major upgrade in the country's tobacco control framework.

A central feature of the...