A recent study has exposed the exaggerated claims made by tobacco companies regarding the number of tobacco vendors in Bangladesh.

According to the research, banning the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products by mobile vendors and retail outlets, as well as declaring tea stalls as non-smoking areas, would have minimal impact on low-income vendors.

The study found that only 2.4% of mobile sales centers exclusively sell tobacco products, and just 18.5% of total sales centers sell tobacco products alongside other items.

The findings were shared during a national dialogue titled "Actual Number of Tobacco Product Sellers in Bangladesh and the Lies of Tobacco Companies" held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the National Press Club.

The event, organized by the Gram Bangla Development Committee, AID Foundation, Bangladesh Tobacco Control Alliance, Economic Research Bureau, and several other organizations, emphasized the need for stronger tobacco control policies.

The research highlighted that 71% of deaths in Bangladesh are linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and hypertension.

Despite this, the country's budget allocation for combating NCDs remains alarmingly low, comprising only 4.2% of the total health budget.

The study surveyed 2,616 sales centers across 13 wards in Dhaka city and found that only 63,603 establishments are solely involved in selling tobacco products, with 126,358 individuals depending on tobacco sales for their livelihood.

Additionally, an estimated 490,273 businesses are connected to tobacco products, with 974,006 individuals selling tobacco alongside other goods.

The report further indicated that a ban on tobacco sales by hawkers and mobile vendors could impact the livelihoods of 58,303 to 126,358 people.

However, the study suggests that these vendors could easily transition to selling more profitable products, given their strong marketing and customer engagement skills.

At the event, AID Foundation’s Senior Program Officer, Abu Naser Anik, chaired the session, with Gram Bangla Development Committee’s Executive Director, A.K.M. Maksud, presenting the main findings.

Other key speakers included tobacco control expert Sushanta Sinha, Project Coordinator at TCRC Farhana Zaman Liza, AID Foundation Project Director Sagufta Sultana, and Protyasha Drug-Free Organization General Secretary Helal Ahmed, among others.

The speakers criticized tobacco companies for spreading false propaganda that amendments to tobacco laws, including the banning of cigarette sales by mobile vendors and retail outlets, would negatively affect the livelihoods of nearly 1.5 million low-income vendors and their families.

The research, however, disproved these claims, revealing that the actual number was far lower—only one-third of the tobacco companies’ figures.

They also addressed the exaggerated claims regarding employment in the tobacco industry, pointing out that reducing tobacco sales and promoting healthier alternatives would not have a significant negative impact on employment.

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