News Desk
DHAKA, Bangladesh — The interim government of Bangladesh recently tightened its Import Policy Order of 2021-2024, enacting a sweeping ban on the import of e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)—products often touted as alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Far from limiting smokers’ options, this move aligns with growing international concern over the health risks these devices pose, reinforcing protections for a nation where 13.1 million people over 15 are hooked on combustible cigarettes, according to a 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) study. Yet the decision has stirred debate, with questions lingering about foreign influence and the best path to tackle a smoking epidemic that claimed 17.5% of all deaths in 2021.
The ban reflects a stance championed by the WHO, which has long cautioned against viewing e-cigarettes and ENDS as safe or effective tools for quitting smoking. In its 2021 report on the global tobacco epidemic, the WHO urged countries to impose strict regulations—or outright bans—on these products, citing evidence of lung injuries, nicotine addiction, and their appeal to youth. Far from being a benign alternative, e-cigarettes have been linked to serious health risks, including cardiovascular damage and a gateway effect that lures non-smokers, especially teens, into nicotine use. Countries like India, Brazil, and Singapore have already outlawed them, while others, including Australia and Japan, tightly restrict their sale.
Still, the policy’s roots in Bangladesh raise eyebrows. Two U.S.-based NGOs—Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies, both tied to Bloomberg Philanthropies—appear to have shaped the decision. Listed as “partners” by Bangladesh’s National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), these groups have pushed a hardline stance against e-cigarettes and ENDS in developing nations, often framing them as a public health menace. Critics, however, see a pattern of overreach. In the Philippines, officials have accused these organizations of meddling in local affairs, while Pakistan has called out their aggressive tactics. Even in Thailand, where a ban remains in place, an illicit market of 1 million users underscores enforcement challenges—and lost tax revenue.
Bangladesh’s smoking crisis is undeniable. Roughly 34 million adults—out of a population of 170 million—use tobacco, with cigarettes driving a deadly toll. The government insists the ban protects public health, especially youth, from a new wave of addiction. But some argue it dodges the harder task of regulating traditional cigarettes more effectively, leaving smokers with few cessation tools. The WHO backs alternatives like nicotine patches and counseling, not vaping, as evidence-based solutions—a point the ban’s supporters echo.
The role of Bloomberg-backed NGOs adds a layer of unease. Their influence, while framed as support for tobacco control, has sparked backlash elsewhere for sidelining local priorities. In Bangladesh, a country sensitive to foreign sway, their involvement risks tainting a policy that might otherwise stand on its own merits. Neither organization responded to inquiries, but their global campaign against e-cigarettes mirrors the WHO’s warnings, if not its nuanced call for tailored solutions.
The ban lands at a pivotal moment. Last July’s revolution toppled an authoritarian regime, promising a government more attuned to its people’s needs. Yet this top-down approach—shutting out e-cigarettes and ENDS without broader consultation—feels out of step with that spirit. For a nation desperate to curb smoking, the focus may need to shift beyond bans to proven strategies: taxing cigarettes higher, expanding cessation programs, and cracking down on illicit trade.
For now, Bangladesh joins a growing list of countries saying no to e-cigarettes and ENDS, heeding WHO cautions over industry hype. Whether this protects or constrains its 34 million tobacco users remains an open question—one that demands scrutiny, not just of the devices, but of the forces shaping the fight against them.
This story draws on reporting from the Dhaka Tribune.
