Stakeholders and industry representatives submitted a memorandum to Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus, urging him to reconsider the government's decision to ban the import of e-cigarettes, says a press release. In the memorandum, they expressed a deep concern over the decision, which includes adding e-cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) to the list of prohibited items in the Import Policy Order by the Ministry of Commerce. Stakeholders fear this decision will deprive adult smokers of a less harmful alternative to quit smoking, potentially causing significant negative impacts on public health and the economy.

The memorandum was submitted on December 28, 2024, at the official residence of the Chief Advisor, Jamuna, by organisations including Voice of Vapers, Consumer Rights of Sales Alternatives (CORSA), and Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA). Earlier in the day, the organisations held a human chain at Shahbagh, Dhaka, under the theme, "Reconsider the Import Ban on Harm Reduction Products to Prevent Smoking." The event was attended by representatives from these organisations, including Schumann Zaman, Anisuzzaman Khan, Rezwan Ahmed, Iftekharul Alam, Reaz Mahbub, and NurulAfsher, among others.

At the human chain, Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) President Schumann Zaman said, "Vaping or e-cigarettes are harm-reduction products, developed to minimise the risks associated with smoking. UK Health Security Agency research has shown that these are 95% less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Countries like the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden are promoting their use as part of their public health policies. A ban like this could push current e-cigarette users back to traditional smoking, creating an even greater public health risk."

He also added, "Global experiences show that banning e-cigarettes does not stop their use. Instead, it leads to the emergence of black markets. After India banned e-cigarettes in 2019, illegal sales surged significantly, compromising product quality and user safety while also causing the government to lose substantial revenue."

Consumer Rights of Sales Alternatives (CORSA) Director Iftekharul Alam pointed out, "Many people's livelihoods are tied to this sector, and nearly 500,000 users have already quit smoking through vaping. This decision by the government will harm all these individuals. Everyone has the right to choose less harmful alternatives to quit smoking."

The organisations demanded that, instead of imposing a complete ban on e-cigarettes, the government implement a scientific and logical regulatory framework. This approach would ensure the dual goals of public health improvement and providing safer alternatives for adult smokers. They urged the government to work with stakeholders to develop a fair regulatory structure and called for the application of proven tobacco harm reduction strategies to safeguard public health.

The proposals of the Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Traders Association (BENDSTA) are as follows:

1. Reconsider the ban on importing ENDS products and formulate regulatory policies for these products based on scientific research.

2. Develop an inclusive policy framework by engaging stakeholders such as traders, importers, users, and health experts.

3. Establish specific regulations for product importation, quality control, and licensing to prevent the entry of substandard and illegal products into the market.

4. Enforce strict age restrictions to prevent access by minors, along with stringent laws to address violations of these age limits.