Published: March 31, 2026, 04:50 PM
The government is set to amend the anti-tobacco ordinance, withdrawing the ban on the production and sale of e-cigarettes, raising serious public health concerns.
Besides, the provision prohibiting the display of tobacco products at points of sale will also be removed from the ordinance.
The ordinance was approved by the interim government last year, introducing stricter provisions to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act.
The changes to the ordinance are being made following recommendations by a parliamentary special committee formed to review 133 ordinances issued during the interim government, sources said.
Following the JS body’s recommendations, the health ministry is preparing a draft, omitting the provisions from the ordinance, and will send it to the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division soon, they added.
An e‑cigarette (electronic cigarette) is a battery-operated device that heats a liquid -- usually containing nicotine and other chemicals -- to produce a vapour that can be inhaled by a user, an act known as ‘vaping’.
E-cigarettes are the most common type of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), and their emissions typically contain nicotine and other toxic substances that are harmful to both users and non-users who are exposed to the aerosols, according to WHO.
In order to protect public health, particularly that of youths and teenagers, anti-tobacco campaigners urged the government to reconsider its decision, terming it “very unfortunate”.
Ataur Rahman, advocacy manager (Bangladesh) for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said some recent surveys show that the number of e-cigarette users is increasing sharply, especially among youths.
Around 30 countries have banned e-cigarettes to protect their youths, he said, adding, “So, the ban on e-cigarettes should remain in place.”
Citing a recent survey, he said 88 percent of points of sale display cigarettes at children’s eye level, while 66 percent place tobacco products next to candy and snacks to attract them.
“Therefore, the ban on displaying tobacco products should not be repealed,” he said, urging the government to reconsider the decision.
Contacted, Health Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury said five ordinances related to the ministry were submitted to the parliamentary special committee, and they will comply with whatever recommendations the committee provides.
CHANGES IN THE AMENDMENT
Amid growing demands from the anti-tobacco campaigners, the interim government in January last year banned the import of e-cigarettes or ENDS to protect public health
Later, the ordinance was approved on December 23, expanding the definition of tobacco products and introducing several new provisions to control their use.
Section 6 (Ga) of the ordinance says no person shall produce, import, export, store, advertise, promote, endorse, market, distribute, buy, sell, or transport their components or parts (such as e-cigarettes, vapes, vaping devices, vaporisers, e-liquids, etc.), heated tobacco products, or emerging tobacco products, whatever name they may be called, nor shall they cause or allow anyone else to do so.
An offender may face imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to Tk 2 lakh, or both. If a person commits the same type of offence a second time or repeatedly, the penalty shall be imposed at double the rate progressively.
If the offender under this section is a company, the company’s relevant goods shall be seized, and the owner, manager, or responsible person of the company shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to five lakh, or both. For repeated offence, the company’s licence for producing and selling tobacco and tobacco products shall be revoked.
Any person may face fine of up to Tk 5,000 for using any of these products.
Section 5(Ka) of the ordinance says at points of sale, all tobacco products and their packaging must be kept out of sight, except when selling directly to a customer. The amendment will remove the section.
