Dhaka, March 9 -- Leaders of various business associations on Monday 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, warning that delaying the move could weaken tobacco control efforts and harm public health.

They said if the ordinance remains only on paper and is not enacted by Parliament, it will become ineffective, leading to an increase in tobacco-related deaths, higher healthcare costs and setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The call came at a discussion titled "The Importance of Strengthening Tobacco Control Law for Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases and Protecting Public Health," or...