A delegation of Voice of Vapers, Consumer Rights of Sales Alternatives (CORSA) and Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the Chief Adviser, requesting him to lift the ban on import of e-cigarettes.
Stakeholders and industry representatives of the organisations said the import ban on e-cigarettes will deprive adult smokers of a less harmful alternative to quit smoking, potentially causing significant negative impacts on public health and the economy.
However, they handed over the memorandum to CA Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus at his official residence, Jamuna.
In the memorandum, they expressed deep concern over the decision which includes adding e-cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) to the list of prohibited items in the Import Policy Order by the Ministry of Commerce.
Earlier on the day, they held a human chain at Shahbagh under the theme, 'Reconsider the Import Ban on Harm Reduction Products to Prevent Smoking.'
At the human chain, BENDSTA President Scumann Zaman said, "Vaping or e-cigarettes are harm-reduction products, developed to minimize the risks associated with smoking. UK Health Security Agency research has shown that these are 95 per cent less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Countries like the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Sweden are promoting their use as part of their public health policies. A ban like this could push current e-cigarette users back to traditional smoking, creating an even greater public health risk."
"Global experiences show that banning e-cigarettes does not stop their use. Instead, it leads to the emergence of black markets. After India banned e-cigarettes in 2019, illegal sales surged significantly, and compromising product quality and user safety while also causing the government to lose substantial revenue," Zaman added.
CORSA Director Iftekharul Alam said, "Many people's livelihoods are tied to this sector, and nearly 500,000 users have already quit smoking through vaping. This decision by the government will harm all these individuals. Everyone has the right to choose less harmful alternatives to quit smoking."
The organisations demanded that instead of imposing a complete ban on e-cigarettes, the government implement a scientific and logical regulatory framework. This approach would ensure the dual goals of public health improvement and providing safer alternatives for adult smokers.
They urged the government to work with stakeholders to develop a fair regulatory structure and called for the application of proven tobacco harm reduction strategies to safeguard public health.
The BENDSTA proposed the government reconsider the ban on importing ENDS products, formulate regulatory policies for these products based on scientific research and develop an inclusive policy framework by engaging stakeholders such as traders, importers, users, and health experts.
The organisation also suggested establishment of specific regulations for product importation, quality control and licensing to prevent the entry of substandard and illegal products into the market and enforcement of strict age restrictions to prevent access by minors, along with stringent laws to address violations of these age limits.
