BTCA expresses concern over approval of nicotine production project

Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates- BTCA has expressed deep concern over Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority- BEZA's approval to Philip Morris Bangladesh Limited to produce nicotine pouches.

A joint statement was issued in this regard on Sunday by BTCA Convener Iqbal Masud and members Advocate Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Aminul Islam Sujon, Susanta Sinha, Syeda Anannya Rahman, Farhana Zaman Liza, Samiul Hasan Sajib and Abu Raihan.

They voiced strong protest against the approval made on April 27, 2025 and said that this product is similar to chewing gum, used by placing it inside the mouth, from where nicotine is gradually absorbed into the bloodstream. Although marketed as an alternative to e-cigarettes or vapes, it contains high levels of nicotine, making it highly addictive and extremely harmful to health, added the statement.

According to the statement, many countries around the world have already banned or strictly regulated the production and sale of nicotine pouches. At least 34 countries, including Belgium, Russia, Uzbekistan, and France, have taken stringent measures in this regard. Yet, at a time when Bangladesh is in the process of amending its tobacco control law to protect public health and when health advisors and government departments have jointly declared their commitment to prevent non-communicable diseases this approval to produce such a harmful product is a deadly decision.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh, in a landmark ruling, has directed that tobacco use must be reduced within a reasonable time frame and that no new tobacco or tobacco-related product manufacturing company may be approved. The Court has instead instructed that existing tobacco companies be encouraged to produce alternative, non-tobacco products. Therefore, the approval granted by BEZA clearly violates the Court's directive and contradicts the purpose of the tobacco control law, added the statement.