Reasonable regulations on e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction products are demanded

DHAKA, October 22, 2024 (BSS) – The Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) today called for sensible regulation of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and harm reduction products tobacco during a press conference in a city hotel.


BENDSTA has expressed concerns over proposed amendments to the Use (Control) of Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act, 2005 (amended 2013), a press release said today.

The draft proposal, released for public comment, includes a provision to completely ban products like e-cigarettes, which the organization claims are harmful to public health and the industry concerned.

The draft proposal, which was submitted for public comment in 2022, was returned to Cabinet last year (2023) due to lack of stakeholder input and the need for further review, says -he.

Representing major vape importers in Bangladesh, BENDSTA sharply criticized the rushed policy-making process and highlighted the critical need for dialogue among stakeholders to ensure that regulations align with public health goals and government revenue targets.

BENDSTA President Schumann Zaman said: “We fully support the government’s efforts to control smoking and its harmful effects. »

However, there are many misconceptions around vaping, and e-cigarettes and vapes should not be placed in the same category as traditional cigarettes.

These products do not contain tar, the most harmful substance created by burning cigarettes, making them significantly less harmful, he added.

Zaman also addressed misconceptions surrounding vaping, saying: “There is a growing body of international evidence supporting vaping as a safer alternative to smoking. »

The UK Health Safety Agency has certified that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking, and countries including the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Sweden are encouraging its use in the framework of their public health policies. Sweden, for example, has achieved a smoking prevalence of less than 5%, largely thanks to policies that support tobacco harm reduction products like e-cigarettes.

“Banning e-cigarettes is a simple but ineffective solution,” he said, mentioning that countries like India have banned vaping, but their use remains widespread through illegal channels.

“Instead of banning these products, we should focus on sensible regulations that can help reduce traditional smoking and support the government’s health goals,” added Schumann Zaman.

BENDSTA Secretary General Rezwan Ahmed echoed the need for dialogue and informed decision-making to shape the future of vaping in Bangladesh.

BENDSTA speakers highlighted the potential economic benefits of regulating rather than banning e-cigarettes.

The UK government, for example, earned £310 million from the vaping sector in 2021, providing a valuable source of revenue while supporting public health goals.