A protest rally and human chain were held in Khulna against the approval of a “nicotine pouch” factory by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), alleging that the approval violates public health regulations and disregards the Constitution of Bangladesh as well as the directives of the Honorable Supreme Court. The program was organized under the initiative of the Healthy City Forum, carrying the slogan: “Disease-Causing Nicotine Pouch — Cancel the Approval of This Death Factory.”
Among those present at the protest were Advocate Masum Billah, Executive Director of SEIAM; Molla Maruf Rashid, Administrative Officer of Khulna City Corporation; Khan Habibur Rahman, License Officer of KCC; Molla Khairul Islam, representative of the Khulna District Sports Association; Mostafizur Rahman Shakil, representative of the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance; Md. Imran Mia, representative of WBB Trust; Kazi Mohammad Hasibul Haque on behalf of CLPA Trust; Mahathir Mohammad Athoi representing Khulna Cyclists; Sakib Mohammad Dipu on behalf of The Legal Doors; Anin Nayeem Khan from Nagarer Khobor; Sardar Abu Taher from Amra Brihottor Khulnabashi; Asif Ahmed, Secretary of BIP Khulna Chapter; Sheikh Omar Faruk Kochi representing Bandarghati Foundation; civic leader Md. Sirajul Islam Liton; and representatives from Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates and various other organizations.
Speakers at the protest stated that nicotine pouches are a new addictive trap introduced by tobacco companies. As they are used by placing them in the mouth, they cause rapid addiction and easily lure young people. They emphasized that nicotine pouches are by no means a safe alternative to smoking. Research has shown that nicotine pouches cause damage to the mouth, gums, lungs, liver, and kidneys, increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, and have severe adverse effects on brain development in adolescents.
Following warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 34 countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, and France, have already banned this product. The speakers demanded that, in order to protect public health in Bangladesh, the approval of this factory must be immediately revoked.
They further noted that in 2016, the Appellate Division of the Honourable Supreme Court ruled that no new tobacco company or factory should be approved in the country, and that existing tobacco companies should instead be transformed into alternative industries. The speakers alleged that BEZA’s approval not only contradicts public health interests and the State’s constitutional obligation under Article 18(1) to ensure public welfare, but also constitutes a clear violation of the directives of the Appellate Division.
At the protest meeting, speakers also recalled that, in the presence of the Chief Adviser of the Government, 35 ministries jointly committed to working towards the control of non-communicable diseases. Moreover, the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act by the Ministry of Health explicitly include provisions for banning nicotine-based products. They asserted that no institution has the right to spread new forms of addiction in the name of public interest and urged the government to cancel the approval of nicotine pouches and uphold the directives of the Honorable Supreme Court.
Organized by:
Healthy City Forum; SEIAM; Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance; WBB Trust; CLPA; Khulna Cyclists; The Legal Doors; Nagarer Khobor; Amra Brihottor Khulnabashi; BIP Khulna Chapter; Bandarghati Foundation; and Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates.
