Bangladesh Considers Lifting E-Cigarette Ban Amid Calls for Regulatory Framework

Key Facts

1CAPHRA urges Bangladesh to replace the 2025 ban on emerging nicotine products with a regulatory framework.

2Lawmakers in Bangladesh are reportedly considering lifting the ban on the production and sale of e-cigarettes.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is urging the Bangladesh government to replace its planned 2025 ban on emerging nicotine products with a formal regulatory framework. Lawmakers in the country are reportedly reviewing the possibility of lifting the current prohibition on the production and sale of e-cigarettes to adopt a "harm reduction" model. This potential policy shift aims to move away from rushed prohibition toward enforceable regulations that provide safer alternatives to traditional tobacco products. The move is seen as a bullish signal for major tobacco companies like British American Tobacco (BATBC.DH) and Philip Morris (PM), which have significant vaping portfolios. Opening a market of Bangladesh's size could provide a new growth avenue for international tobacco firms navigating tightening global regulations. Market analysts suggest that a regulated environment would help curb illicit trade while allowing for better public health oversight and tax revenue collection.