It was a fruitful workshop with 30 agricultural journalists, where I had the opportunity to share insights on tobacco control issues at a special session held on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, at the Bureau of Economic Research (BER), University of Dhaka.

I presented the keynote paper titled “Corporate Aggression Fuelling Tobacco Cultivation: A Threat to Public Health and Food Security.” The session was presided over by Dr. Rumana Haque, Professor of Economics and Focal Person of BER’s Tobacco Tax Project, and was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalist Forum (BAJF), BER, and the Bangladesh Network for Tobacco Tax Policy (BNTTP).

In my presentation, I highlighted how government policy incentives have fueled the growth of tobacco cultivation and exports. The withdrawal of the 25% export duty on tobacco leaves significantly benefited the industry. Government data show tobacco farming increased by 50,000 hectares in 2024, covering 142,000 hectares nationwide.

I also discussed the approval for Philip Morris to establish a nicotine pouch plant, which contradicts the 2017 Supreme Court verdict restricting new tobacco ventures.

During the Q&A session, I addressed journalists’ questions on tobacco policy, alternative crop incentives, and ways to help farmers shift from tobacco.

Unfortunately, the amendment to the Tobacco Control Law (2013) remains halted by the interim government, which is a setback for public health. I, along with all participants, urge the government to finalize the amendment promptly to safeguard public health and serve the greater good.