E-cigarette production ban marks major public health victory: Heart Foundation

To protect public health and shield the younger generation from the risks of nicotine addiction, the government has issued a directive prohibiting the production of e-cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and related products.

The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh has welcomed this move as a “timely and landmark decision,” said a press release.

In the statement issued on Saturday, Prof Dr Khondaker Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, said, “This decision marks a historic milestone in the protection of public health. E-cigarettes are driving young people toward nicotine addiction and are by no means a safer alternative. Nicotine hampers adolescent brain development and poses long-term physical and mental health risks. By banning production, the government has not only halted a harmful industry but also protected our future generations. This is a visionary and courageous move for the nation.”

The press release further said 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.

The Foundation noted that anti-tobacco organizations had long demanded a complete ban on the import, production, and marketing of e-cigarettes in Bangladesh. While earlier steps had restricted imports, domestic production had remained a loophole. With this latest directive, the path to manufacturing such products is now fully closed.

Prof Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, said, “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 Tk300 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.