Bangladesh Vape Traders Challenge Proposed 2025 Import Ban

The Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Traders Association (BENDSTA) is urging Parliament to reconsider the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025. Representing one million adult vapers, the group warns that a blanket ban will fuel black markets and destroy thousands of jobs, suggesting a regulated framework instead.

The Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Traders Association (BENDSTA) just threw a major wrench into the government’s plans for the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2025. During a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity, industry leaders called for a full parliamentary review of the proposed legislation. Their argument is simple: a total ban is “policy discrimination” against the one million adult Bangladeshis who currently use vapes as a tool to quit traditional cigarettes.

This isn’t just a policy debate; it’s a legal battle. The High Court is already scrutinizing Section 6(c) of the ordinance, observing that it may contradict the Constitution. In fact, the court recently directed authorities to stop seizing legally imported products. Beyond the courtroom, the economic stakes are massive. We are looking at over 100 businesses and 600 chain stores. A ban doesn’t just stop sales—it threatens the livelihoods of thousands of middle-class families and leaves entrepreneurs buried under business liabilities and bank loans.

BENDSTA points to a glaring contradiction in the current state reform agenda. Point 26 of the Prime Minister’s 31-point plan explicitly aims for a health policy inspired by the UK’s NHS model. In Britain, vaping is a state-supported tool for harm reduction. Why move in the opposite direction? Association President Suman Zaman warned that prohibition is a gift to the black market. Without a regulated framework, the market shifts underground. This is where age verification vanishes and substandard, dangerous products become the norm for teenagers and adults alike.

• Read more: Bangladesh Vape Ban Proposal Faces ‘Foreign Influence’ Claims

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.

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