Bangladesh Approves Tobacco-Control Amendment: Ban on E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco; Nicotine Pouches Defined as Tobacco

Bangladesh’s Advisory Council has approved the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance (2025). The amendment explicitly bans the use, production, and marketing of e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and heated tobacco products (HTPs), and includes nicotine pouches within the legal definition of “tobacco products.”

Key Takeaways

• Bangladesh’s Advisory Council approved a tobacco-control amendment ordinance.
• E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are banned from use, production, and marketing.
• Nicotine pouches are formally included in the legal definition of tobacco products.
• All smoking and the use of any tobacco products are prohibited in public places and on public transport.
• Mandatory health warnings on tobacco packaging are increased from 50% to 75% of the pack surface.

 According to TBS News, Bangladesh’s Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser (caretaker head of government) Muhammad Yunus, approved the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance (2025).

The Ministry of Health stated that the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division has been instructed to take immediate steps to facilitate the formal promulgation of the ordinance.

The amendment bans the use, production, and marketing of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, ENDS, and HTPs. At the same time, nicotine pouches are included in the legal definition of “tobacco products.”

The ordinance also provides that smoking and the use of any form of tobacco products are fully prohibited in all public places and on all public transport. The establishment of designated smoking areas (DSAs) will follow government directives, and the definitions and scope of “public places” and “public transport” are expanded.

In addition, the ordinance comprehensively bans tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, including point-of-sale displays and promotions via the internet or other media channels. The required health warning area on tobacco product packaging is raised from the current 50% to 75%.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health noted that tobacco-related diseases cause more than 130,000 premature deaths each year in the country.