Advisory Council Clears Clampdown on E-Cigarettes, Nicotine Pouches

The Advisory Council has approved the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, proposing a ban on e-cigarettes and bringing nicotine pouches under the legal definition of “tobacco products.”

Under the proposed law, emerging tobacco products—such as e-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Heated Tobacco Products (HTP), and similar items—will be prohibited in terms of use, production, and marketing. In addition, the use of all tobacco products will be banned in public places and public transport, alongside smoking. The provision for Designated Smoking Areas (DSA) will be subject to Sarkar directives.

The approval was granted at the Advisory Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 24, according to the Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The ministry stated that tobacco use is a major cause of cancer and other non-communicable diseases, leading to more than 130,000 premature deaths annually in Bangladesh.

It added that, to more effectively control smoking and tobacco use nationwide, the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed strengthening the existing Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) Act, 2005 through the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which has now been approved. To issue the ordinance, immediate vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division will be required.

Once the vetting process is completed, the definitions and scope of “public place” and “public transport” will be further expanded. At the same time, all forms of advertising, promotion, and publicity of tobacco products— including point-of-sale displays and promotion through the internet or any other medium—will be banned.

The amendment will also mandate that health warnings cover 75 percent of tobacco product packaging, up from the current 50 percent.

DBTech/DM/IK/OR