PROGGA and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) on Sunday urged the government to take immediate action against e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products, warning that the country risks facing a new wave of youth addiction despite recent progress in tobacco control laws.

The call came during a meeting with Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain at his office in the Secretariat on May 24, where the organizations also presented a letter of appreciation for his role in passing the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026.

Speaking at the meeting, the Health Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening tobacco control measures to protect public health.

“The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is committed to taking all necessary initiatives for tobacco control,” he said, adding that the ministry has already submitted a written proposal to the Finance Ministry seeking higher taxes and prices on all tobacco products.

Representatives of PROGGA and ATMA praised several key provisions in the amended law, including the elimination of Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs), the ban on tobacco sales near educational institutions and hospitals, and restrictions on tobacco advertising across digital platforms.

However, the delegation expressed serious concern over the exclusion of e-cigarettes, vaping devices, nicotine pouches, and other next-generation tobacco products from the amended legislation.

According to the organizations, nearly 37.8 million people currently use tobacco products in Bangladesh, while tobacco-related illnesses claim around 200,000 lives annually.

They warned that without stricter controls on emerging nicotine products, young people could become increasingly vulnerable to addiction.

The delegation also urged the government to significantly raise tobacco taxes in the upcoming national budget to make such products unaffordable for youth and reduce overall tobacco consumption nationwide.

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