DHAKA, Oct 22, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) today called for sensible regulations of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and tobacco harm reduction products at a press conference in a city hotel.
 
BENDSTA voiced concerns over the proposed amendments to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amended in 2013), said a press release today.

The draft proposal, published for public opinion, includes a provision to completely ban products like e-cigarettes, which the organization claims to be harmful to public health and the relevant industry.

The draft proposal, which was sent out for public opinion in 2022, was sent back to the Cabinet last year (2023) due to a lack of stakeholder input and the need for further review, it said.

Representing major vape importers in Bangladesh, BENDSTA strongly criticized the rushed policy-making process and underscored the critical need for stakeholder dialogue to ensure regulations align with the government's public health objectives and revenue goals.

BENDSTA's president, Schumann Zaman, said, "We fully support the government's efforts to control smoking and the harmful effects of tobacco."

However, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding vaping, and e-cigarettes and vapes should not be placed in the same category as traditional cigarettes.

These products don't contain tar, the most harmful substance created by combustion in cigarettes, making them significantly less harmful, he added.

Zaman also addressed misconceptions surrounding vaping, saying "There is a growing body of international evidence supporting vaping as a safer alternative to smoking."

The UK Health Security Agency has certified that vaping is 95 percent less harmful than smoking, and countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden are encouraging its use as part of their public health policies. Sweden, for example, has achieved a smoking prevalence under 5 percent, largely due to policies that support tobacco harm reduction products like e-cigarettes.

"Banning e-cigarettes is an easy but ineffective solution," he said, mentioning that countries like India have banned vaping, but usage remains prevalent through illegal channels.

"Instead of prohibiting these products, we should focus on sensible regulations that can help reduce traditional smoking and support the government's health objectives," added Schumann Zaman.

BENDSTA General Secretary Rezwan Ahmed, who echoed the need for dialogue and informed decision-making in shaping the future of vaping in Bangladesh.

BENDSTA speakers highlighted the potential economic benefits of regulating, rather than banning, e-cigarettes.

The UK government, for instance, earned £310 million from the vaping sector in 2021, providing a valuable revenue stream while supporting public health goals.