Advisory Council Approves Ordinance to Ban E-Cigarettes and Online Promotion of Tobacco Products

The Advisory Council has approved a proposed ordinance banning e-cigarettes and stopping the promotion of tobacco products on the internet of Bangladesh. The ordinance also seeks to include nicotine pouches within the legal definition of “tobacco products” under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Advisory Council held on Wednesday, 24 December, according to the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Under the proposed law, the use, production and marketing of emerging tobacco products—such as e-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), heated tobacco products (HTP), and similar items—will be completely prohibited. In addition, the use of all forms of tobacco products will be banned in public places and public transport, not just smoking. The provision for designated smoking areas (DSA) will also be made conditional on government directives.

The ministry stated that tobacco use is one of the leading causes of cancer and other non-communicable diseases. Each year, more than 130,000 people in Bangladesh die prematurely due to tobacco-related illnesses.

To strengthen tobacco control in the country, the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed amendments to the existing Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) Act, 2005. The proposed Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 has now been approved by the Advisory Council.

Before the ordinance can be issued, it must undergo vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. Once the vetting is completed, the definitions and scope of “public place” and “public transport” will be further expanded.

The amended law will also prohibit the display of tobacco products at points of sale and ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and publicity through the internet or any other medium. Additionally, the size of health warning messages on tobacco product packaging will be increased from the current 50 percent to 75 percent of the total surface area.

DBTech/IH/EK