As Bhutan’s import of tobacco products surges, lawmakers are demanding urgent reform. The Social and Culture Committee of the National Assembly is calling for stricter monitoring and enforcement of public smoking, with more people seen smoking outside designated areas and exposing bystanders to serious health risks.
According to the Social and Culture Committee, a lack of proper monitoring and enforcement has led to more people smoking randomly in various places.
The Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan strictly prohibits smoking in public places, entertainment centres, public transport, and commercial areas and mandates identification of designated smoking areas. Smoking outside the designated areas carries fines and penalties starting from Nu 500.
A member of the committee also said that they issued a reminder letter last year, urging relevant authorities to conduct legal monitoring and inspections. However, no visible monitoring actions have been observed so far.
“In the past, there was a tobacco control board. The Tobacco Control Board’s responsibility was overlooked by the Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority. Nowadays, it is not clear whether the board exist or they perform their duties. So if ministers could clarify this. These are solely due to a lack of review in the law, and if it is reviewed accordingly, the country will be in a better place,” said Kuenga, Member, Social and Culture Committee, NA.
Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk said the ministry has been conducting various awareness programmes to discourage smoking, as well as on the need for designated smoking areas in public spaces.
“The human resources in the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority are enough to perform the duty of banning tobacco. Now that we can sell the tobacco, there is not enough people (to control the smoking). We are talking with the Royal Civil Service Commission. Similarly, the police find it challenging to control public smoking since the number of smokers has increased.”
As per the Bhutan Trade Statistics 2025, Bhutan imported tobacco products worth more than Nu 766 M, which is an increase of around Nu 21 M compared to the previous year.
The members also highlighted that Bhutan is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, yet the laws meant to protect public health are struggling to keep pace with a rapidly changing market.
“Considering the issue in the Tobacco Control Act that needs to be reviewed and the emerging vapes and others, the cabinet was directed by the Prime Minister to align the present act. Accordingly, we discussed with the public, and we are in the process of aligning,” said Tandin Wangchuk, Health Minister.
The National Council is currently reviewing the Tobacco Control Amendment Bill of Bhutan 2026. The amendment proposes regulation of emerging tobacco products, additional smoke-free zones, and prohibitions on sales to persons under 18 years of age and tobacco promotions, among others. It also proposes strict penalties, such as classifying the import of banned tobacco products as a fourth-degree felony, including the fines set by the Tobacco Control Board.
The National Assembly is expected to table the Bill in the winter session.
Singye Dema
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
