Key Points
- The Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA) protested the approval granted by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to Philip Morris Bangladesh for establishing a nicotine pouch manufacturing facility.
- BEZA approved the project on April 27, 2025, allowing production of smokeless nicotine pouch products.
- BTCA said the move violates a Supreme Court directive and contradicts the country’s tobacco control policy and public health commitments.
- The group noted that nicotine pouches are highly addictive and have been banned or strictly regulated in at least 34 countries.
- BTCA demanded the cancellation of the project approval, accountability for the decision, and a nationwide ban on all nicotine-based products.
2Firsts，October 27, 2025 –The Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA) has voiced strong opposition to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority’s (BEZA) decision to allow Philip Morris Bangladesh Limited to establish a nicotine pouch manufacturing facility within a special economic zone.
In a statement issued on October 26, BTCA said BEZA approved the project on April 27, 2025, giving the global tobacco company permission to produce nicotine pouches — a smokeless but highly addictive product that poses significant health risks.
The statement, signed 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, explained that nicotine pouches are used by placing them inside the mouth, where nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Although marketed as a safer alternative to vaping, the product contains high levels of nicotine and can lead to dependence and health complications.
BTCA pointed out that at least 34 countries — including Belgium, Russia, Uzbekistan, and France — have already banned or heavily restricted nicotine pouch products. Approving their production in Bangladesh, the organization said, directly contradicts the government’s ongoing efforts to amend the tobacco control law and its broader commitment to reducing non-communicable diseases.
The group also cited a Supreme Court directive that prohibits the establishment or approval of any new tobacco or tobacco-related manufacturing companies, urging the government to instead support non-tobacco alternatives. According to BTCA, BEZA’s approval clearly breaches this legal order and undermines national tobacco control objectives.
Calling the move a “policy, ethical and legal misstep,” BTCA demanded the immediate cancellation of the project approval and accountability for those involved. The organization further urged the government to impose a comprehensive ban on all nicotine-based products — including nicotine pouches — to safeguard public health and advance the goal of a tobacco-free Bangladesh.
Cover image source: UNB
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
