To protect public health and shield the younger generation from the risks of nicotine addiction, the Government of Bangladesh has issued a directive prohibiting the production of e-cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and related products.
The National Heart Foundation (NHF) of Bangladesh has welcomed this move as a “timely and landmark decision”, according to a statement.
The press release further states that following a recommendation from Health and Family Welfare Ministry Advisor Noorjahan Begum, a formal letter signed by Dr. Ahmed Ullah, Director General-1 of the Office of the Chief Advisor, has been issued. It calls upon the heads of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to take the necessary steps to implement the ban.
Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, stated: “As physicians, we are well aware that e-cigarettes are severely harmful to health. They cause long-term damage to the lungs and heart and are proven to be addictive by numerous international studies.”
He further highlighted that 42 countries—including the USA, India, and Hong Kong—have already imposed a complete ban on e-cigarettes, while another 56 countries have implemented strict regulations on their sale and marketing. In this context, the Foundation has officially extended its appreciation to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and met with Special Assistant Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman to express gratitude for the decision.
Currently, 35.3% of the Bangladeshi population uses tobacco in some form. Tobacco-related diseases claim over 161,000 lives annually and cost the economy nearly BDT 300 billion each year.
The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh wholeheartedly welcomes this forward-looking government directive and urges the relevant authorities to ensure its swift implementation. The Foundation also calls upon the Advisory Council to promptly pass the revised Tobacco Control Law prepared by the Ministry of Health
