Bangladesh Considers Ban on E-Cigarettes and Oral Nicotine Snuff
According to The Business Standard, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare wants to amend the country’s tobacco law to ban e-cigarettes and oral nicotine snuff. The proposal also includes new restrictions on combustible tobacco products. Healt
According to The Business Standard, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare wants to amend the country’s tobacco law to ban e-cigarettes and oral nicotine snuff. The proposal also includes new restrictions on combustible tobacco products.
Public health advocates have long been calling for a ban on e-cigarettes, which are not mentioned in the current legislation. The proposal would ban not only the use of vaping products, but also the manufacture, import, export, storage, sale, and transportation of e-cigarettes or their components.
Under the plan, anyone caught using an e-cigarette would face a fine of up to BDT 5,000 (US$53.80), while manufacturers and traders would face up to 6 months in prison, a fine of up to BDT 200,000, or both. Penalties would double for each repeat offense.
A few years ago, e-cigarettes began entering Bangladesh through informal channels and quickly became popular. As demand increased, British American Tobacco started producing and selling e-cigarettes in the market. Japan Tobacco is also reportedly preparing to sell e-cigarettes in Bangladesh.
The Health Ministry’s proposal would also tighten restrictions on traditional tobacco products. Among other provisions, it includes a ban on the use of flavorings and would increase the size of graphic health warnings from the current 50% of the pack surface required by law to 90%. The draft also envisions new retail licensing requirements and restrictions on where tobacco may be sold.
The Health Ministry recently sent copies of the draft to stakeholders. The Directorate General of Health Services will accept comments on the draft until July 14.
