Leading anti-tobacco organizations have expressed deep concern over the government’s decision to remove provisions banning e-cigarettes and the display of tobacco products at points of sale from the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. In a statement issued Wednesday, they warned that such changes could undermine public health and encourage nicotine addiction among youth.

The organizations stated that emerging tobacco products like e-cigarettes are highly harmful and act as gateways to nicotine dependence. They argued that allowing product displays at sales points would attract children and adolescents to tobacco use, reversing progress in tobacco control. The groups also noted that the removal of these clauses contradicts the ruling party’s electoral commitment to strengthen tobacco regulation.

Former interim government adviser and economist Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman called on the government and parliament to immediately reinstate the two clauses, emphasizing that public health and youth protection must take precedence over narrow profit interests.