Students Demand Ban on E-Cigarettes, Nicotine Pouches

University students from different institutions have called for a complete ban on the sale, marketing, import and export of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in Bangladesh, citing concerns over rising use among young people and the risk of nicotine addiction.

The demand was raised on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at a youth workshop held at the auditorium of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. The workshop focused on the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026, and brought together students from various universities.

The students said the use of e-cigarettes was gradually increasing among young people because of what they described as misleading tactics by the tobacco industry. They warned that these products could expose a new generation to nicotine addiction and called for effective measures to prohibit e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to protect young people and support the development of a tobacco-free generation.

During the workshop, speakers discussed the harmful effects of tobacco, the need for stronger tobacco control and key provisions of the amended Tobacco Control Act, 2026. They also highlighted the importance of active and meaningful youth participation in tobacco-control initiatives.

The speakers explained key provisions of the amended law and discussed the roles and responsibilities of young people in strengthening tobacco-control legislation. Participants were also briefed on advocacy activities following the enactment of tobacco-control legislation and the ways young people can contribute to these efforts.

The workshop also emphasized raising awareness among young people about the harmful effects of tobacco products and building social resistance against violations of tobacco-control laws.

Among those attending were Mukhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Health and Nutrition Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Abdus Salam Mia of CTFK; and Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project. More than 50 students from various universities also participated.

//DBTech/ SME/ MSI//