Bangladesh, March 9 -- Leaders of various business associations have urged the government to pass the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 as a law in the first session of the 13th National Parliament instead of keeping it limited to paper, in order to prevent non-communicable diseases and protect public health.

They warned that if the law is not passed in the first parliamentary session, the Tobacco Control Ordinance will become ineffective.

As a result, the number of deaths will increase, healthcare costs will rise, progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be hindered, and a tobacco-addicted young generation will emerge.

The demand was made on Monday at a discussion me...