The Ministry of Health has proposed a new bill to amend the existing Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (as amended in 2013). While multiple anti-tobacco pressure groups appear confident about the bill’s applicability, the hasty nature of its drafting and approval process, along with the apparent reluctance of the authorities to engage in meaningful consultations with impacted stakeholders and subject matter experts, has raised serious concerns regarding its practicality and effectiveness, a press release said.
The proposed bill introduces several impractical measures, including a blanket ban on all reduced-risk products such as vapes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and nicotine pouches. In many countries, these products are recognized as harm-reduction alternatives for adult smokers and are also viewed as potential sources of investment and government tax revenue.
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Nicotine Pouches (NPs) are widely regarded in many countries as less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes and have helped millions of smokers transition away from combustible tobacco. Sweden is often cited as a leading example, having achieved near smoke-free status largely through the adoption of nicotine pouches, which provided adult smokers with an alternative pathway to quitting. Public health experts argue that Bangladesh could have followed a similar trajectory; however, a proposed ban on these products risks undermining that potential.
Beyond public health considerations, nicotine pouches have also emerged as a growing source of foreign investment and tax revenue – not just globally but also in Bangladesh. In 2025, Philip Morris International reportedly invested nearly USD 6 million to establish a nicotine pouch manufacturing facility in Bangladesh. Industry observers note that such investments not only contribute to government tax receipts but also hold export potential, as global demand for nicotine pouches continues to grow. Similar economic benefits, they argue, could be realized through regulated markets for vapes and heated tobacco products (HTPs). The proposed blanket ban, however, threatens to halt this momentum.
Experts have also raised concerns that prohibiting reduced-risk products could unintentionally expand the illicit market. Bangladesh already faces significant challenges in controlling illegal trade, and analysts warn that a ban would create stronger incentives for black-market activity. In such a scenario, the government would lose regulatory oversight as well as potential tax revenue. Comparable outcomes have been observed in countries such as India, Thailand, and Hong Kong, where restrictions on alternative nicotine products have coincided with the growth of illicit trade.
Criticism has further intensified over the process through which the amendment is being pursued. Despite repeated calls from policy experts and industry stakeholders for structured consultations prior to amending the law, no formal dialogue has taken place. In 2024, the Interim Government formed a High-Powered Advisory Committee with the stated objective of consulting key stakeholders and drafting more practical regulatory measures. However, according to industry sources, no such consultations were held.
Economists caution that sweeping regulatory changes at a time of economic strain could have broader implications. The tobacco sector contributes nearly 10 percent of government revenue, making it a significant component of public finances. Stakeholders warn that major amendments introduced without comprehensive impact assessments or stakeholder engagement could pose risks to the country’s economic stability and long-term development objectives.
