Bangladesh Bans E-Cigarette Production to Safeguard Public Health
In a decisive move to protect public health and shield future generations from nicotine addiction, the Government of Bangladesh has issued a directive prohibiting the production of e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in the country. The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh has welcomed this decision, hailing it as a “landmark and timely step.”
In a statement released on Saturday, August 2, Professor Dr. Khondaker Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, stated, “The government’s decision marks a historic milestone in protecting public health. E-cigarettes are pushing the youth toward nicotine addiction and are by no means a safe alternative. Nicotine hampers adolescent brain development and has severe long-term impacts on both physical and mental health. By halting production, the government is not only banning a harmful product but also protecting future generations. It is a visionary and courageous step for the nation.”
The press release further noted that, following a recommendation from Nurjahan Begum, Adviser to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a formal letter signed by Dr. Ahmed Ullah, Director General-1 of the Prime Advisor’s Office, was sent to the Executive Chairpersons of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), requesting necessary measures.
According to the Foundation, anti-tobacco organizations had long been demanding a ban on the import, production, and marketing of e-cigarettes in the country. While import restrictions were in place previously, there remained scope for domestic production. The new directive now entirely prohibits the manufacture of e-cigarettes and related components.
Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, emphasized, “As physicians, we know e-cigarettes are equally harmful to health. They cause permanent damage to the lungs and heart and create addiction, as proven by numerous international studies.”
He further noted that 42 countries, including the United States, India, and Hong Kong, have already imposed complete bans on e-cigarettes, while another 56 countries enforce strict restrictions on their sale and marketing. In this global context, the Heart Foundation praised the Bangladesh government's timely decision and formally conveyed its appreciation in a meeting with Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Currently, 35.3 percent of Bangladesh’s population uses some form of tobacco, and over 161,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. The economic cost of tobacco-related illnesses amounts to approximately BDT 300 billion annually.
The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh expressed deep appreciation for the government’s forward-thinking directive and urged the relevant authorities to ensure its swift implementation. The Foundation also called for the immediate passage of the amended Tobacco Control Law recently drafted by the Ministry of Health.
