Staff Reporter:
Anti-tobacco researchers and public health experts have raised grave concerns over the growing threat of nicotine addiction among teenagers, urging the government to enact a dedicated law banning e-cigarette.
The concern and the demand were expressed at three separate events held in the capital on Thursday.
At a research publication event arranged by the Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University at a city hotel, it was said that sales of e-cigarette dropped by 12% and dedicated outlets decreased by 5% within six months following initial import restrictions and provisions under the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025.
However, the subsequent omission of e-cigarette clauses from the updated tobacco control law this year has created a dangerous legal vacuum. Tobacco control activists and experts warned this gap risks resurging product availability and encouraging tobacco use among youths and adolescents.
Coordinator of Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) Coordinator Saifuddin Ahmed presided over the dissemination event, while TCRC Project Officer Md Zulhas Ahmed presented findings of the study carried out between February and July 2026 across eight divisional cities.
TCRC Project Coordinator Farhana Zaman Liza moderated the event, while Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, a tobacco control researcher and policy analyst; Barrister Nishat Mahmood, Aminul Islam Bakul, Aminul Islam Sujon and Shagufta Sultana spoke it, among others.
Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, a tobacco control researcher and policy analyst, stressed that import bans alone cannot curb the market due to informal imports, online sales, and local e-liquid production.
Saifuddin Ahmed urged immediate enactment of a comprehensive law banning all emerging tobacco products.
In a separate demonstration in front the National Museum in Shahbagh, the Anti-Smoking and Drug Abuse Prevention Organization (MANAS) and Protyasha Madok Birodhi Sangathan held a joint rally demanding the passage of the pending OTT Policy and strict implementation of the amended tobacco control law in movies, dramas, and web series.
Helal Ahmed presided over the rally, while Abu Naser Aneek and Md Abu Raihan of MANAS spoke at the rally, among others. They called upon filmmakers, producers, and streaming platforms to adhere to existing laws prohibiting all forms of tobacco sponsorship and promotion, emphasising the need for an approved OTT policy to restrict digital tobacco promotion.
Meanwhile, Development Activities of Society (DAS) in collaboration with the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) arranged a training workshop titled “Implementing Tobacco Control Law in the BRTC Training Module” at the BRTC Tejgaon Training Institute.
