Dhaka, March 11 -- Research and advocacy group PROGGA-Knowledge for Progress and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) have urged the government to turn the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law, calling for it to be passed in the first session of parliament.

The call came at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia auditorium of the National Press Club.

The organisations said the move was needed to protect public health and curb tobacco-related deaths.

The speakers said tobacco use claims nearly 200,000 lives each year in Bangladesh and causes an estimated economic loss of Tk 870 billion, more than twice the revenue generated from the tobacco sector.

They also n...