On September 5, 2022, the Health Economics Research Network (HERN), in collaboration with the ARK Foundation, University of York, RESPIRE, and ASTRA, hosted a workshop on “Policies to Address Smokeless Tobacco Control in Bangladesh” at the Six Seasons Hotel in Dhaka. Public health professionals, representatives of various non-governmental organizations, national and international tobacco control experts, development workers, journalists, and researchers were at the workshop.

Kamran Siddiqui, a professor of global public health in the University of York’s Department of Health Sciences, gave the keynote address at the gathering. In comparison to other nations, he claimed that smokeless tobacco use and prevalence are exceptionally high in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Although the rate of smokers of cigarettes and bidis has marginally declined in Bangladesh over the past few years, the rate of smokers of smokeless tobacco has remained essentially stable. Therefore, this area must receive special attention. He also offered numerous suggestions to simultaneously limit the use of smokeless tobacco products. Some of those are eliminating flavors, limiting TSNAs, establishing standards, and keeping an eye on their ingredients; implementing licensing for retail sales and workable substitutes; strictly prohibiting online/social media advertising; empowering local governments to enact sales bans, and frequently raising taxes higher than cigarettes with a minimum floor price equal to a 20-stick cigarette pack.

Twenty-two million individuals in Bangladesh today use smokeless tobacco, representing around 58% of all tobacco users, according to speakers at the event! Smokeless tobacco products do not receive the same attention as cigarettes and bidis regarding reducing their detrimental effects on public health. Speakers at the event claimed that 84% of the packs containing smokeless tobacco products in Bangladesh lack adequate pictorial health warnings. Even if they have visual health warnings, they do not adhere to the rules. Additionally, 30% of packets have no health warnings at all.

Former Director General of the Medical Education Department, Professor AHM Enayet Hossain, presided over the event. The Director of the National TB Control Programme, Professor Shakil Ahmed, was present as chief guest. The National Professional Officer of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Syed Mahfuzul Huq; former director of primary health care of the Directorate of Healthcare Services, Dr. Khaleda Islam; former chairman of the National Board of Revenue, Dr. Nasir Uddin Ahmed; and Project Director and Joint Secretary of the Bangladesh Cancer Society, Professor Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Faruque; and Technical Consultant of International Organization The Union, Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin were present as panel discussants. The program was moderated by the Executive Director of ARK Foundation and Professor of Economics at the University of Dhaka, Rumana Huque.