ঢাকাশনিবার , ৮ অগাস্ট ২০২৬
The Central Digital Commerce Cell under the Ministry of Commerce has requested the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to block 33 websites accused of selling banned imported e-cigarettes online. It has also issued show-cause notices to several platforms—including Smart Eshop BD, Xclusive Brands BD, BD Stall, Daraz Bangladesh Limited, Click BD, and Cloud Corner—asking them to explain why action should not be taken against them for violating the ban. This move comes in line with the Digital Commerce Guidelines, which prohibit the online sale of narcotics.
To protect public health, the government officially banned e-cigarettes on December 31, 2024, a decision that received widespread approval. While the use of e-cigarettes in Bangladesh remains very low—around 0.2 percent—concerns have grown in recent years about foreign tobacco companies allegedly promoting e-cigarettes among young people. According to Helal Ahmed, co-coordinator of the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance, e-cigarette use is almost negligible in the country, yet international companies are actively working to expand their popularity among the youth. He noted that many e-cigarette sales points are linked to foreign tobacco companies, and the ban could protect millions of young people from addiction.
Farhana Zaman Liza, Program Manager at the Tobacco Control Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University, highlighted that online sales of e-cigarettes are on the rise. Research shows that sellers are heavily promoting these products through Facebook (92%), websites (67%), and Instagram (38%). They market e-cigarettes as “less harmful,” “stylish alternatives,” or even “tools for quitting smoking.” Moreover, the availability of flavored products—such as fruit and ice variants—makes them especially appealing to younger audiences.
Barrister Nishat Mahmood, Member Secretary of the Public Health Lawyers Network, praised the government’s decision, stating: “By banning this harmful product, the government has upheld its constitutional duty to safeguard public health. Since the import of e-cigarettes is already prohibited, their sale in the country is unlawful. Law enforcement agencies must identify outlets selling these products, seize and destroy them, and take strict action against violators.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act to ban the import, production, and use of all types of e-cigarettes nationwide. This initiative has been welcomed by the World Health Organization and other public health groups. Globally, at least 32 countries—including India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Singapore—have already banned the sale of e-cigarettes due to their harmful effects.
