ঢাকাবৃহস্পতিবার , ২০ অগাস্ট ২০২৬
The High Court has asked the authorities to explain why they have not taken effective steps to ban and remove emerging tobacco products and nicotine pouches from the market.
A bench of Justice J B M Hassan and Justice Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan issued the rule on Monday (17 August).
The court also asked why the authorities should not be ordered to take necessary steps to remove or ban these products, which the petitioners say are harmful to human health.
The petitioners said the use and sale of emerging tobacco products pose serious risks to public health. They argued that the authorities’ failure to control or ban them conflicts with Articles 18(1) and 32 of the Constitution, which deal with public health and the right to life.
They also said the inaction goes against Bangladesh’s obligations under international agreements.
The petition referred to earlier Supreme Court directives in the “Voyage of Discovery” case. These included restrictions on licences for tobacco and bidi factories and measures for existing manufacturers to move away from tobacco production within a reasonable period.
The petition was filed by A K M Maksud, Saifuddin Ahmed, Helal Ahmed and Md Aminul Islam, who have been working on tobacco-control issues for years.
Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary and Barrister Nishat Mahmud represented the petitioners.
The High Court has not banned the products through this order. It has asked the authorities to explain why action should not be taken against them.
