Health rights activists have criticised the government鈥檚 approval of Philip Morris Bangladesh Limited to set up a nicotine pouch manufacturing factory, saying that the decision contradicts public health goals and tobacco control efforts.
They said that the initiative undermined the government鈥檚 move to curb tobacco and nicotine addiction, though the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority claimed that the proposed factory would not produce tobacco goods.
National Tobacco Control Cell additional secretary (World Health Wing) and programme director Sheikh Momena Moni said that nicotine pouch was a harmful product.
鈥業t is a nicotine-based substance, and nicotine itself is injurious to health,鈥� she said, adding that the NTCC was not consulted before the approval.
Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse founding president Professor Arup Ratan Choudhury said that after the government had banned e-cigarettes, tobacco companies were trying to misguide policymakers with new nicotine-based products.
He said that tobacco contained over 7,300 toxic substances, including 70 known carcinogens, and nicotine was the main addictive component affecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Public health expert and former Bangladesh Medical Association president Rashid E Mahbub said that taking nicotine in any form was dangerous.
鈥楶hysicians advise against smoking mainly for nicotine. Consuming it directly, even without smoking, is equally alarming,鈥� he said.
Several countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia and France already banned nicotine pouches, campaigners said.
The BEZA recently approved Philip Morris Bangladesh Limited to establish a nicotine pouch factory at Plot 41 of the Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Narayanganj.
Officials said that the $5.82 million project, fully domestic-oriented, would create employment for 63 people, including three foreigners.
BEZA deputy director for public relations Shenjuti Barua said that the company was given approval for the project because it would produce 鈥榯obacco-free鈥� and environment-friendly products.
Meghna Group general manager Suman Chandra Bhowmik said that the factory鈥檚 construction had not started yet.
Anti-tobacco campaigners, however, said that the BEZA decision violated directives from the Chief Adviser鈥檚 Office.
In May 2025, the Chief Adviser鈥檚 Office prohibited the establishment of any factory producing e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems or similar products.
Earlier on January 1 this year, the commerce ministry banned the import of e-cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, in short ENDS, products through a statutory regulatory order.
A nicotine pouch is called a 鈥榥ext-generation鈥� alternative to smoking or chewing tobacco. Health experts warn that such products are addictive and pose serious health risks.
In a joint statement, research and advocacy organisation PROGGA and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance protested against the government decision.
鈥楪ranting permission to establish a nicotine pouch factory clearly violates the Chief Adviser鈥檚 directive,鈥� said PROGGA executive director ABM Zubair, 鈥楾he approval should be revoked immediately.鈥�
He said that the draft amendment to the Tobacco Control Act included provisions for a complete ban on the manufacture, import, sale and marketing of nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, vapes and heated tobacco products.
