The draft amendments to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (amended in 2013) have been sent back from the Advisory Council meeting for revision. A High-Powered Committee, led by Economic and Finance Advisor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, will be responsible for revising the draft.
The decision was made during the Advisory Council meeting on Thursday presided over by Interim Government’s Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus held at the Chief Advisor’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam shared this information with journalists following the meeting.
Shafiqul Alam noted that the committee may take a fresh approach to revising the law, considering revenue implications. Also present were Deputy Press Secretaries to the Chief Advisor, Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, and Apurba Jahangir.
Shafiqul Alam said: “A high-powered committee will be formed for review, headed by Economic and Finance Advisor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. About 35% of people in Bangladesh smoke, which causes significant health issues. At the same time, the cigarette industry contributes a large portion of our revenue. Taking all these factors into account, the committee will reassess the law.”
The Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, passed in 2005, was first amended in 2013. In 2022, the Ministry of Health proposed further amendments to the law.
Earlier, in 2023, during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, the Cabinet returned the draft for further scrutiny.
